H23.2296

Ornament: model house of perforated cardboard. Under glass cover, 1864, won as a prize at a church fair. From the History Information Station: Object: Model house, in the Gothic style popular 1840s-1860s.Homemade of perforated paper, under glass. Both the glass dome and the paper were commercially available in the 19th century. Northeastern United States, circa 1864. History: Creativity was an important feminine virtue in Victorian society, and women practiced a variety of handicrafts to demonstrate their talents. This little house is made by cutting and gluing perforated paper, and finishing with paper lace trim. It must have been particularly satisfying for its maker, for she offered it as a prize at a church fair in 1864.