Friday, September 4, 2009

Collecting Miniature English Cottages...

I was first introduced to the world of English cottage miniatures back in 1987.
My parents had put together a "care package" from home, and inside that huge cardboard box, which incidentally took almost two months of sea travel, were the beginnings of a lifetime collection.

Ten boxes of David Winter and Lilliput Lane Cottages, carefully hand chosen from a local gift shop, and packaged as if they were eggs, in order to survive the brutal handling, associated with overseas package delivery.


The story of David Winter Collections is as follows:

Gifted English sculptor David Winter is regarded as one of the foremost creators and sculptors of miniature architectural structures.
Born in Catterick, Yorkshire in December 1958 the youngest of three children, David was inspired by his mother, famed British sculptor Faith Winter.
It was in her studios that David experimented and perfected his inherited skills.
His first David Winter cottage was created in 1979 , The Mill House, and found instant acceptability both home and later abroad.

In 1988 the Company was awarded the Queens Award for Export. Each year an average of 80 companies are selected, from 10 times as many, to receive the award.
The recipients are entitled to fly the Queen's Award flag outside their premises and to use the emblem on stationery for a period of 5 years.

Wealden House

Throughout the years, my collection has grown, also including another miniature collection The Lilliput Lane Collection.

Each is packaged with a Certificate of Authenticity, after several years, the piece is retired, never to be molded again.
All of my pieces are now retired.

The cottages/houses range in size from four inches to a rambling twelve inches wide.

The Swan Inn.

Lilliput Lane Cottages story:
Lilliput Lane was founded in 1982 by David Tate.His ambition was to create the most realistic and architecturally accurate miniatures the world had seen.

Since then, Lilliput Lane has grown into an internationally renowned concern, famous for attention to detail and authenticity. Lilliput Lane cottages are hand-made in England by skilled craftspeople, sold in more than 50 countries and collected by many thousands of enthusiasts.

Moonlight Cottage.

Queen Elizabeth I Slept Here.




The Red Lion.The Parson's Retreat.

I'm also partial to these ceramic English replica's, the ones shown here, were a gift from a doctor and his wife, with whom I once worked.

Click on each picture, it will enlarge to show the meticulous detail.

16 comments:

Sunny said...

Oh what a lovely collection. Simply wonderful. I've always had a fondness for David Winter cottages.
I collect old primitive style houses and sheep. I have had so many collections over the years but have had to downsize :(
Thank you for sharing.
Sunny :)

Wanda..... said...

They are all beautiful Jo...but if I had to pick a favorite...maybe the one with the bicycle leaning against the hedge.

L. D. said...

I really like that style of house with the thatched roof. Your collection is wonderful.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Sunny: I collect primitive houses and sheep also !
I just love the lot ...lol

Wanda: That one is by Lilliput Lane, and is called The Parson's Retreat.

L.D. : We have lots of thatched roofs in the village where I live, my daughter used to call them hay roofs...lol

Betsy Banks Adams said...

What a fabulous collection. You need an entire room to display all of your 'pretties' Jo... WOW---I'm so impressed.
Hugs,
Betsy

DJan said...

Ooops! I lost my comment. It was about the fact that when I look at your pictures, Jo, I can't help but think you existed in another, earlier, time and place...

donna baker said...

Jo, I always wondered what your Lillliput Lane collection was. It is loverly. I collect small houses too. None of them are larger than about 4 inches though.

Patsy said...

It must make you home sick. They are beautiful.
Patsy

The Prodigal Tourist said...

How lovely--your house must feel like Christmas all year long!

Anonymous said...

Ooo, I've always had a soft place in my heart for the Lilliput Lane cottages. It might be because I bought some when I lived in England and they would have been fairly new back then. I have a David Winter now but my eye always seems to prefer Lilliput Lane. I admire your collection.

Manchester Lass, Now and Then said...

What a superb collection in a beautiful cabinet. I am very envious. When my brother came to visit (for the Ashes) a few years ago he gave me as a gift a Lilliput Lane Houses of Parliament, it's quite large. Are you a member of their collectors club? Linda

The Retired One said...

I wouldn't have any room to store them but ooooo....I LOVE your blue and white china behind them in your cupboard!! :-}

Anonymous said...

Those are all amazing! What a lovely collection you have. I love the one where Queen Elizabeth I slept. Very beautiful.

JPT said...

My Mum has quite a few of these.

Unknown said...

As I think you know, I am a David Winter collector too and they seem to take on new meaning now I am abroad. I have lovingly collected them since I was a teenager, I also have the exact same plate you do in the top centre piccie. Lovely collection Jo.

Michael said...

I love these. Lovely.