Mrs. James Ward Thorne (Narcissa Niblack Thorne) admiring her miniatures.
Image courtesy of Bonnie’s Murals and More.
The Thorne Miniature Rooms are a hidden gem within the Art Institute of Chicago. They were created in the late 1930s by Mrs. James Ward Thorne, whose husband was heir to the Montgomery Ward department stores. Mrs. Thorne commissioned highly skilled craftsman to create these miniatures to her exact specifications. All of the miniatures are made at a scale of 1in to 1ft and represent historical interiors from Europe, North America, and Asia between the 13th – 20th centuries. 68 of these spectacular miniatures live in the Art Institute of Chicago, while 20 can be found in the Phoenix Art Museum, and the final 9 have a home in the Knoxville Museum of Art. We particularly enjoy these miniatures as they are completely historically accurate, down to the rugs and wall coverings that are used to complete the interiors; something that model making today could only aspire to. If you are in the Art Institute of Chicago, don’t miss these spectacular miniatures.
Visitors looking at the Thorne Miniatures at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Image courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago.
English Drawing Room of the Modern Period.
Image courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago.
English Entrance Hall of the Georgian Period.
Image courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago.
English Great Room of the Late Tudor Period.
Image courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago.
English Rotunda and Library of the Regency Period.
Image courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago.