At the Small Museum of Dolls and Other Toys, you can admire porcelain dolls, cloth dolls, celluloid dolls, papier-mâché dolls, as well as dollhouses, small shops, and kitchens complete with plates, pans, and cups. There are also constructions, stuffed animals, rocking horses, and a section dedicated to handcrafted dolls from various parts of the world. One part of the museum tells the story of school life through the display of some books, notebooks, reed pens, nibs, and inkwells, while another area is occupied by vintage clothing for children and infants. The museum aims not only to be a nostalgic journey into the past but also a comparison of lifestyles and ways of playing across different eras.
Founded in 2006, the small doll museum was born from the desire of its founder, Graziella Gardini Pasini, to share her private collection of dolls and toys gathered over decades. The museum displays porcelain, cloth, celluloid, paper dolls, and other toys produced between the mid-19th century and the mid-20th century. In the exhibition, the dolls are placed in a dedicated miniature environment.
In this regard, there are dollhouses, kitchens, rooms complete with various furnishings, real “dollhouses.” The museum features some important pieces from brands that made doll history, such as Jumeau, Armand Marseille, Lenci, Kathe Kruse, Furga, Tartaruga, Minerva and a small collection of Kewpie. It is noted that at the small shop located at the entrance of the museum, visitors can purchase not only the catalog but also publications and souvenirs.
