This example of a Dutch kitchen housed in a cabinet is believed to date from the late 17th century. Early German houses served a practical and educational purpose and quite clearly resembled small buildings. However, in Holland, well-to-do Dutch families preferred to store their treasures in cupboards and cabinets of the sort that were used to store linen or china. As a result of Holland's expanding trade with Asia and America at the time a large class of wealthy bankers and merchants had grown up. They liked to demonstrate evidence of their wealth by collecting precious or interesting and new items in cabinets of curiosities. Amongst these were miniatures of household items which were specially commissioned and collected with such enthusiasm that whole households were sometimes reproduced.