Astolat Dollhouse Castle

Inspired by Alfred Tennyson's poetry Lady of Shalott. about the Lady Elaine of Astolat, Astolat Dollhouse Castle was created over a thirteen-year period between 1974 and 1987, primarily by master miniaturist Elaine Diehl with support and assistance from artisans throughout the world. The exterior took a year to sculpt to the final finish. The interiors and adjoining areas were each constructed to the highest standards of that time. == Description ==

The structure has a total height of , and was built to a 25.4 mm to 304.8 mm scale (one inch to one foot) (1:12) scale. It weighs approximately . On 10 May 1982, dollhouse creator Colleen Moore took a trip to view the Astolat Dollhouse and met with Diehl. When Astolat was first installed, the museum's curator stated "each room is decorated with furniture, tables, chairs, artwork and lighting made by artisans from around the world, and the materials are unique and expensive." Unique parquet floors, framed mirrors, tapestries, gold chandeliers, oil paintings, and fireplaces lead up to the top floor housing the "wizard’s tower" outfitted with telescopes and zodiacal signs. The furnishings include seven periods and styles, including Spanish, Oriental, Tudor, 18th-century English, and Victorian. Layout and floor plan Consisting of seven levels, stairways, and hallways, Astolat Dollhouse Castle was created for 360 degree viewing. As with the Colleen Moore dollhouse certain exterior walls are fixed to create a 3-D viewing experience. The basement level consists of the Knights Of Columbus room, wine cellar, kitchens, and the armory. The main floor contains the entrance foyer, main stairway, and butler's closet. Next level up contains the formal living room, dining room, and music room and its audience balcony. The fourth level contains the private library containing duelling pistols, a library of miniature books, fireplace, miniature daguerreotypes, and the oil painting display area. Fifth level contains the sleeping quarters. Sixth floor contains the grand ballroom, musician's alcove, bar area and sitting rooms. Wizards's tower is on the top level and contains hand painted zodiac signs, telescope, observatory and astronomical depictions. including miniature original oil paintings The interior spaces include miniature fittings and furniture most of which are antique, hand-crafted, and one-of-a kind. Some are even artefacts from Pompeii. Other furnishings, and ancillary art includes sculptures, original oil paintings, portrait miniatures, hand sewn tapestries, carved wood moldings, chandeliers, sconces, framed mirrors, and accessories. These include miniature inlaid marble bathrooms, parquet floors, gold chandeliers, hand etched wood panels, and pieces made of gold. Most of the interior furnishings and artwork are original and were purchased at auctions from private collectors, or commissioned from known miniaturists and artisans. Such artists include Eric Pearson, George Becker, Warren Dick, Laurel Coulon, Mary McGrath, among others. The lighting features fully illuminate all areas of Astolat and separate day and night-time lighting systems automatically adjust based on the time of day. ==Ownership==

The Astolat Dollhouse Castle was acquired by collectors Michael and Lois Freeman in 1996 Freeman is an avid collector of dollhouses and since her acquisition of the Astolat Dollhouse Castle she has continually upgraded its interiors with additional one-of-a-kind antique miniatures, tiny antique furniture, and paintings in addition to those that already existed within the structure. There are reportedly now about 30,000 miniatures pieces in the Astolat Dollhouse Castle collection, but only about 10,000 are displayed at any one time. The Astolat Dollhouse Castle was on rare public display at the Time-Warner Center at Columbus Circle, New York City, from 12 November to 8 December 2015. All proceeds from this exhibition benefited charities for children, including St Jude's Children's Hospital, Orphans International, and others. ==Critical reception==

"The Castle is worth so much because of the structure itself," said Paula Gilhooley, the museum's curator. Astolat "is a massive feat of construction and when you see it, it will leave you absolutely speechless". an updated version released in 2009 showed some of the upgraded interior furnishings and acquisitions, and a video presentation that previewed a charity tour of the dollhouse. == Other notable dollhouses ==

Other notable dollhouses include Titania's Palace, which is on display in Denmark, Tara's Palace, which is on display in Ireland at the Tara's Palace Museum of Childhood in Powerscourt Estate, and the Stettheimer Dollhouse in New York, United States, which is primarily known for its original miniature artwork. Queen Mary's Dolls' House in Windsor Castle in England includes contributions from many notable artists and craftsmen of the 1920s. == References ==