For museum-quality miniatures and top-end international artisans, head to the Kensington Dolls House Festival every spring, autumn and winter. They also run an online showcase in early spring, which allows artisans who can’t make it to the shows to display their most recent work – and allows us to snaffle gorgeous things we didn’t imagine we’d be able to find!
Here is what we’ve bought from Kensington so far:
Storage Basket or Dog Bed
Large and detailed basket by Cinzia Milella of Ludmilla’s Creations (2023.005)
Elegant Fan
Graceful Baroque or Rococo fan with mock-tortoiseshell sticks, by an unknown artisan (2023.013)
Pigeon
An inquisitively perky pigeon, by Laura Brownhill of Country Treasures (2023.012)
Selection of Six Wine Bottles
Six wine bottles, by Art of Mini, form the starting collection of the Quartermaine wine cellar (2023.014.1-6)
Mouse with Slice of Christmas Cake
A mouse has claimed the ultimate treat in this little vignette by Laura Brownhill of Country Treasures (2023.011)
Parrot Pitcher
Wonderful little pitcher in the shape of a parrot by Valerie Casson (2023.003)
Long Tailed Tit under a Glass Dome
Beautiful still life of a long-tailed tit and its nest by Laura Brownhill of Country Treasures (2023.010)
Owl Pitcher
Wonderful little pitcher in the shape of an owl by Valerie Casson (2023.004)
Jug of Milk
Glass jug of fresh milk for the kitchen by Phil Grenyer of Glasscraft (2022.175)
Georgian Decanter
Elegant glass decanter to grace the dinner table, by Phil Grenyer of Glasscraft (2022.173)
Black Plate with Rose
Elegant little plate with a garland and rose motif by Natasha Beshenkovsky (2022.154)
Pink Tray with Roses
Exquisitely feminine tray painted by Natasha Beshenkovsky (2022.159)
Ship’s Figurehead
A superb decorative piece by the masters of miniature whimsy, Nantasy Fantasy (2022.171)
Pierre: A Doll
Lovely little boy doll in a sailor suit by Victoria Heredia Guerbós (2022.167)
Aliette: A Doll
Gorgeous little brunette doll in a sailor suit by Victoria Heredia Guerbós (2022.166)
Flowers in a Vase after Bosschaert
Superb hand-painted miniature copy by Leslie Smith, after Ambrosius Bosschaert (2022.153)
Oval Tray with Hunting Motif
Tray with a motif of a huntsman painted by Natasha Beshenkovsky (2022.155)
Oval Tray with Hunting Motif
Painted tray with a hunting motif by Natasha Beshenkovsky (2022.156)
Oval Tray with Hunting Motif
Painted tray with a hunting motif by Natasha Beshenkovsky (2022.157)
Set of Three Storage Jars
Set of three storage jars for raisins, currants and sultanas by Stokesay Ware (2022.160 [Currants]; 2022.161 [Raisins]; 2022.162 [Sultanas])
Pink and Bronze Tray with Classical Scene
This tray has been painted with a wonderful Grecian-style scene by Natasha Beshenkovksy (2022.158)
Copper Kettle
Beautifully shaped copper kettle ready for the kitchen stove, by George Chapman (2022.170)
Group of Cherub Musicians
Exceptional detail abounds in this remarkable piece by Victoria Heredia Guerbós (2022.168)
Pair of Blue & White Porcelain Cats
Delightful pair of matching blue-and-white cats by Sally Meekins (2022.172.1-2)
Six Copper Plates
Six warm copper plates by the late Paul Brownhill of Country Treasures (2022.165.1-6)
The Abduction of the Sabine Women
The pinnacle of miniature bronze-casting, this stupendous copy after Giambologna is by Neil Carter
Ribbed Wine Glasses (Set of Six)
Set of six lovely wine glasses made by Phil Grenyer of Glasscraft (2022.075.1-6)
Ribbed Decanter
Elegant ribbed glass decanter for the dinner table, by Phil Grenyer of Glasscraft (2022.074)
Bless This House Sampler
A beautiful sampler hand-stitched by leading embroiderer Nicola Mascall (2021.165)
Mounted Goat’s Skull
A superbly detailed and rather quirky piece of natural history by Vanalan Miniatures (2021.166)
Staffordshire Dogs
The classic decoration of a Victorian house as envisaged by Newtonwood Miniatures (2021.041.1-2)
The Knight of the Cloth of Gold
One of a pair of noble knights who stand on Felix’s mantelpiece, by Newtonwood Miniatures (2021.042)
The Knight of the White Crescent
One of a pair of noble knights who stand on Felix’s mantelpiece, by Newtonwood Miniatures (2021.042)
Lydia: A Doll
A beautiful little peg doll wearing a burgundy dress by Sally Reader (2021.046)
Sack of Grain with Mouse
An unwelcome visitor investigates the family’s grain supply in this miniature by The Mouse House (2021.045)
Jar of Preserved Eggs
A simple jar of goodies for the pantry, by an unknown artisan (2021.168)
Jar of Pickled Eggs
A simple jar of goodies for the pantry, by an unknown artisan (2021.167)
Quartermaine Hall 