This remarkable dollhouse was crafted by Brussels engineer and electrician Jules Charlier (1867–unknown). Its design is based on his childhood home, a now-lost neoclassical residence on Rue Froissart in Etterbeek. With meticulous care and attention to detail, Charlier created a faithful representation of a bourgeois interior at the turn of the century. Its large size and exceptional craftsmanship make this dollhouse a unique and special toy.
Charlier made the dollhouse for his nieces and nephews, who undoubtedly delighted in playing with it. At a time when child labor was widespread, however, such toys were unattainable for most children; only well-to-do families had the space and financial means to own such a luxurious object.