Large & Impressive 19th-Century English Antique Scratch-built Model Of Lavenham Guildhall, Known As Corpus Christi Guildhall - Ideal As A Dolls House

A fantastic, highly detailed, scratch-built model of a house made as a miniature copy of Lavenham Guildhall, situated to this day in Lavenham, Suffolk, England.

Thought to date to the 19th-Century.

The front facade is detachable and opens to reveal a highly detailed interior. 

This decorative antique would be ideal for display in a museum, for a model collector or, for use as a luxury doll's house.

About Lavenham and the Guildhall:

The origins of the Guildhall and the wealth that formed Lavenham itself can be found in medieval times. At this time England's wealth was largely built on the success of its high-quality wool and cloth industry. Much of the production was exported, which brought enormous tax revenues to the Crown, as well as making wealthy men out of merchants.

The history of the Guildhall is inextricably linked with that of the village of Lavenham itself. The enormous wealth gained in medieval times from the production of its top-quality ‘blew’ cloth for both home and export markets financed the building of the Guildhall.

Situated at the heart of the village in a position of prominence, it fronts the market square, where trading would have taken place at the time it was built.

The Guildhall was originally founded as a meeting place for a Catholic guild. Religious guilds were essentially groups of wealthy cloth and wool merchants. These eligious guilds date back to the 11th century and were originally associated with the monasteries. But by the 14th century they had taken responsibility for the repair of bridges and roads and the founding of schools, almshouses and colleges. 

Though Lavenham Guildhall – otherwise known as the Guildhall of Corpus Christi – is one of the village’s best-known landmarks, Lavenham has over 320 buildings of historic significance.

Lavenham’s wool and cloth merchants became fabulously wealthy from sales of blew cloth and, in the same way as entrepreneurs do now, they spent their money on the trappings of wealth. They built the grand wooden-framed houses preserved all through village which still stand today.

The decline...

In the 16th century this picturesque village was the 14th-wealthiest town in Britain, paying more tax than populous cities such as York and Lincoln.

However, by 1525 the bubble had burst. The demise of the cloth trade for which Lavenham was famed meant that the merchants were left looking for their next venture. The locals were unable to maintain the timber-framed buildings, which had previously been funded by the cloth trade, and the buildings began to crumble.  

By the 17th century there was a threat of mass demolition. The situation was so severe that the Lord of the Manor took some of his tenants to court to prevent the destruction.

The Guildhall has seen a number of other uses through the Centuries including workhouse, prison and residence for many characters including "Widow Snell", renowned for her curious approach to healthcare and her homebrewed potions and lotions, made to cure all ailments.

The original property was transferred into the ownership of The National Trust in 1951 and serves as a museum, tearoom and shop to this day.

An additional piece of trivia...

Did you know that the poem "Twinkle, twinkle, little star..." originates from Lavenham?

It’s a nursery rhyme known the world over, but few people know about its author, Lavenham village resident Jane Taylor (1783–1824).

First published in an anthology of poems written by Jane and her sister Ann in 1806, the poem's formal title is The Star, and it’s thought to have been inspired by the Taylor family’s time at Shilling Old Grange in Lavenham.

Jane and her siblings were educated at home by their parents. Jane, having been taught astronomy, would stare at the night sky from the window of the room she shared with Ann.

The Guildhall has seen a number of other uses through the Centuries including workhouse, prison and residence for many characters including "Widow Snell", renowned for her curious approach to healthcare and her homebrewed potions and lotions, made to cure all ailments.

The original property was transferred into thw ownership of The National Trust in 1951 and serves as a museum, tearoom and shop to this day.

Provenance - Little is known of the original of the model aside it was found by us in Suffolk, England.

Condition - Offered for sale with a number of pieces of dolls furniture. Please refer to the images of the house. It is in relatively good order for its age. A further detailed condition report is available upon request

Size - Width 155 cm (approx 5 ft / 60"