Dolls – and Toy Museum Baden

The Dolls – and Toy Museum is housed in an outbuilding of the Attemsvilla, a historic mansion built in 1838 in the Biedermeier country style. The museum is surrounded by the beautiful Kurpark, a spa park with fountains, statues, and flowers.

The museum showcases a carefully curated collection of dolls and toys from different eras and regions, dating back to the 18th century. The collection was amassed by Helga Weidinger, a passionate collector from Baden, who spent over 30 years acquiring and restoring these precious items. The museum was established in 1990 by the Municipality of Baden, with the aim of preserving and displaying this cultural heritage.

The museum is a delight for both children and adults, as it sparks inspiration and nostalgia in the visitors. The dolls and toys are not only objects of play, but also of art and history. They reflect the social and cultural aspects of the past, as well as the craftsmanship and creativity of the makers. The museum offers a glimpse into the miniature world of the grown-ups, as well as the childhood dreams and fantasies of the children.

The Highlights of the Collection

The museum boasts a diverse and impressive collection of dolls and toys, ranging from the simple to the sophisticated, from the common to the rare. Some of the highlights of the collection are:

A peep box from 1760, which is one of the oldest toys in the museum. It is a wooden box with a hole on one side, through which the viewer can see a painted scene inside. The scene depicts a street in Vienna, with people, horses, and carriages. The peep box was a popular form of entertainment in the 18th and 19th centuries, as it offered a realistic and immersive view of the world.
A paper dress-up doll with eight different robes from 1820, which is a rare and delicate item. The doll is made of paper, with a printed face and hair. The robes are also made of paper, with colorful patterns and designs. The doll and the robes are attached with small hooks, allowing the child to change the doll’s outfit according to their preference. The paper dress-up doll was a precursor of the modern paper dolls, which became popular in the 20th century.
A wooden doll measuring just 12mm in size, which was crafted in Val Gardena, a valley in South Tyrol, in the first half of the 19th century. The doll is the smallest movable doll ever made, with articulated arms and legs. The doll is dressed in a traditional costume of the region, with a red skirt, a white blouse, and a black hat. The doll is a remarkable example of the skill and precision of the woodcarvers of Val Gardena, who were famous for their toy production.
A collection of porcelain dolls and dollhouses from around 1900, which are the main attraction of the museum. The porcelain dolls are exquisite and elegant, with matte biscuit porcelain heads, glass eyes, and real hair or mohair wigs. Their bodies are made of wood and papier-mâché, with movable joints. Their clothes are made of fine fabrics, such as silk, lace, and velvet. The dolls are dressed in the fashion of the time, with elaborate dresses, hats, and accessories. The dolls were considered valuable and fragile, and were often only played with on special occasions or under the supervision of nannies.

The dollhouses are equally fascinating, as they represent the lifestyle and culture of the upper class in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The dollhouses are intricately designed and furnished, with every detail accounted for. The rooms are decorated with wallpaper, carpets, curtains, paintings, and mirrors. The furniture is made of wood, metal, or porcelain, and is scaled to the size of the dolls. The rooms are equipped with various accessories, such as lamps, clocks, books, dishes, and toys. The dollhouses are miniature replicas of the real houses, with different styles and themes, such as a Viennese apartment, a country house, a shop, or a school.

Other Exhibits

The museum also features other exhibits, such as stuffed animals, animals on wheels, and a collection of vintage Steiff teddy bears. The stuffed animals are made of various materials, such as fur, wool, cotton, or felt. They include animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, monkeys, and elephants. The animals on wheels are toys that can be pushed or pulled, such as horses, donkeys, cows, and pigs. They are made of wood, metal, or leather, and have wheels attached to their legs or bodies.

The Steiff teddy bears are a special attraction, as they are the first and most famous teddy bears in the world. The Steiff company was founded in 1902 by Margarete Steiff, a German seamstress who suffered from polio and used a wheelchair. She started making stuffed animals as a hobby, and soon became a successful entrepreneur. Her nephew, Richard Steiff, designed the first teddy bear in 1902, inspired by a drawing of a bear cub he saw at the zoo. The teddy bear was named after the American President, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, who refused to shoot a bear during a hunting trip. The teddy bear became a sensation, and soon millions of children and adults around the world wanted to own one.

A Museum for All Ages

The Dolls – and Toy Museum Baden is a museum for all ages, as it appeals to different interests and emotions. The museum is a place of wonder and discovery, where visitors can admire the beauty and diversity of the dolls and toys, and learn about their history and significance. The museum is also a place of nostalgia and joy, where visitors can reconnect with their childhood memories, and share them with their family and friends. The museum is a place of inspiration and creativity, where visitors can imagine and play with the dolls and toys, and create their own stories and adventures.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00. The admission fee is 5 euros for adults, 3 euros for children, and 10 euros for families. The museum also offers guided tours, workshops, and special events for groups and schools.

Baden bei Wien, Austria