Early 20th C. Narcissa Ward Miniature “Christmas Morning” Diorama C.1933-1942

ABOUT

A diorama titled “Christmas Morning” featuring a French living room scene. Almost every piece of molding, furniture, rugs, and accessory items that are contained in their rooms are designed and created by hand. Original signed tag on the back. Comes with two booklets by Mrs. James Ward Thorne (Narcissa Ward) and an original photograph signed by the artist.

CREATOR Narcissa Ward.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1933-1942.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Wood, Glass, Fabric, Metal, Paper.
CONDITION Good. Wear consistent with age and use.
DIMENSIONS H 11.25 in. W 13.75 in. D 7.75 in.

HISTORY

Mrs. James Ward Thorne of Chicago loved dollhouses and miniatures as a child. After traveling in Europe where she collected miniature furniture and accessories, Mrs. Thorne commissioned over two dozen miniature rooms created by cabinetmakers from her own drawings. The scale is: one inch to one foot. The rooms were exhibited in the 1933-1934 Chicago’s Century of Progress Exposition, the 1939 San Francisco’s Golden Gate International Exposition, and in the 1940 New York World’s Fair.

Later, Mrs. Thorne had 29 more rooms created, copying Europe’s castles, museums and historic homes. She commissioned architects to create historically accurate settings and had the textiles and carpets made by the Needlework Guild of Chicago. The rooms showing the French and English architectural and decorating styles from the 1500’s to the 1920’s, were exhibited in 1937 at the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1942 Mrs. Thorne gave 37 more Miniature Rooms to the Art Institute of Chicago. Those rooms offered views of American history between 1875 and 1940. The Art Institute of Chicago’s Thorne Miniature Rooms exhibit of 68 individual rooms is said to be the world’s largest miniature room collection.