A large George II mahogany Palladian 'baby' house, mid-18th century

in two parts, with three hinged panels to the rusticated front, including a balustraded gallery to the room and hinged front door, opening to reveal a suite of nine rooms, the central bay with incised panelling and each room with an early Georgian style fireplace, raised on a box base with turned feet

By repute;
London, Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood;
London, Grosvenor House Antiques Fair

A rare piece. Generally overall good. Dis-colouration to mahogany in places. Cracked glass to some windows and late or modern curtains. Age cracks to timber and some moldings replaced and patched. Interior chimneypieces detachable. Scuffs, old marks and scratches commensurate with age and use. Associated furnishings late in date or modern. With later support brackets. Typical wear from play and age and use.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This house is supposedly modeled on an actual house in Richmond, Middlesex though the specific building has not been identified. In the first half of the 18th century such houses were thought to have been based on architect's designs as opposed to the generic models that appeared later in the century. They were not designed as dolls houses for the use of children, as is demonstrated by the high quality and locks to the doors, but were rather a fascination and curiosity for adults. Indeed many of the most interesting examples are based of specific celebrated houses, for example the model of Nostell Priory which is illustrated in V. Green, English Dolls' Houses of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries, London, 1979, figs. 75 and 76 and the model of Newbridge, Co. Dublin, illustrated by the Knight of Glin and James Peill, Irish Furniture, Yale, 2007, p. 253, fig. 197.