World’s most expensive crafted house over 13 years, worth $8.5MILLION, goes on display

The most valuable dollhouse in the world, worth a staggering $8.5million, is going on display for the first time.

The hand-made ‘Astolat Dollhouse Castle’ was designed and built over a 13-year period by Colorado-based miniature artist Elaine Diehl in the 1980s.

She modeled it after Tennyson’s Lady of Shallot and commissioned fine craftsmen from around the world to build over 10,000 handcrafted interior pieces, which she combined with furniture and decorations from antique dolls’ houses.

These carpenters, goldsmiths, glass blowers, and silversmiths made incredible miniatures – including a tiny baby grand piano valued at over $7,000, a minute Bible from 1811 valued in the thousands and an adorable signed drop leaf secretary desk valued at over $5,000.

More modern pieces include a teeny 1949 Jeep Station Wagon, worth over $3,300 and a miniature portrait valued at $1,840, which was painted with a single bristle brush. Meticulously embroidered rugs line the floor with a miniature bearskin and tapestries.

The 29-room house will be exhibited to the public for the first time to benefit the Autism Speaks non-profit and a selection of other children’s charities.

‘Astolat is one of the finest miniature structures in the world exhibiting a rare combination of sculpture, art, engineering and detail that set it apart from anything in existence today,’ said Paula Gilhooley, curator for the Nassau County Museum of Art, who will be hosting the exhibit.

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