French Toy Theatres
& Handcrafted Collectible Paper Theatres
- Creations by Helen Bourch
Discover the picturesque world of handcrafted toy theatres created by Helen Bourch for the FIGURART workshop. Heirs to a three-century-old European tradition, our paper theatres perpetuate the art of the first perspective dioramas that appeared in Germany around 1730, then developed in England from 1811. Each miniature theater is a unique object, entirely made in France using traditional 19th-century decorative arts techniques.
From our imaginary miniature theaters to creations inspired by Marie-Antoinette, each piece tells a story and transforms your interior into a true cabinet of optical curiosities . Our collectible theaters are aimed at decorative art lovers, collectors and history buffs who are looking for authenticity and excellence in playful and traditional craftsmanship.
The making of Toy theatres
Entirely made in France in our Compiègne workshop, our paper theaters embody the excellence of French craftsmanship while perpetuating the great British tradition of Toy Theaters . This local and responsible approach supports traditional know-how while guaranteeing optimal quality control at each stage of creation. Certified by the " Artisan d'Art " and " Atelier d'Art de France " labels, our creations contribute to the preservation and transmission of a rare craft.
video - Anna Lopatina la.photo
IMAGINATION
The miniature theater model is designed in the traditional way, combining a precise drawing with watercolors before being cut out and assembled. Once the first model is assembled and the sets are finely chiseled, the curtain opens on the staging of the miniature characters [...]
KNOW - HOW
The pieces are then printed on compressed wood and enhanced with paint and varnish before being assembled and glued. Unlike small antique paper theaters, our miniatures do not lose their color in the light and will last over time.
DECORATION
Whether you're brightening up your bookshelf or your bedside table, Figurart's small theaters are designed to fit into any interior. Helen offers them in several pastel shades, ranging from brown to blue, pink, green, and yellow. A great way to combine fun and culture in your decor.
From Perspective Dioramas to Paper Theaters: A History of Three Centuries
The Origins: Martin Engelbrecht and the First Perspective Dioramas (1730)
The history of miniature theaters has its roots in the "perspective dioramas" created around 1730 in Augsburg by Martin Engelbrecht (1684-1756), an internationally renowned engraver and publisher. These revolutionary creations, composed of 5 to 8 cut-out sheets arranged in depth, created a striking three-dimensional effect inspired by Baroque sets where scenic elements were painted on moving parallel planes. Engelbrecht developed at least 41 different series of these miniature dioramas , depicting religious scenes, court life, trades, and the seasons, offering sophisticated entertainment in the privacy of the bourgeois home.
Technical Evolution: From Peep Shows to Zograscopes
Engelbrecht's dioramas evolved from his large-scale "zographic views," designed to be viewed through zograscopes —optical devices with magnifying lenses that amplified the sense of depth in flat images. This optical technology, popularized in Europe by the mid-18th century, allowed viewers to "travel" from their living rooms to distant destinations or historical events. Traveling "peep shows," equipped with large optical boxes, toured European fairs, charging adults and children to watch these miniature spectacles narrated by barkers.
The English Revolution: William West and the Birth of the Toy Theatre (1811)
In 1811, London haberdasher-turned-publisher William West (1783-1854) revolutionized the art of miniature theater by publishing the first souvenir sheet of "Mother Goose," the show that established Joe Grimaldi as the greatest clown of all time. Encouraged by his young customers eager to recreate London theater successes in their homes, West quickly developed a complete system: character sheets showing every change of costume and attitude, scenery, wings, cardboard prosceniums, and wooden stages. Thus was born the English " toy theater ," sold according to the now-proverbial formula: "penny plain, tuppence colored" (one penny black and white, two pennies colored).
The Victorian Golden Age and Paper Peepshows
Between 1811 and 1860, nearly 300 paper theater productions were published in England, transforming Victorian parlors into veritable domestic theatrical stages. Meanwhile, "paper peepshows" reached their peak in the mid-19th century, sold as souvenirs at popular tourist destinations. The Thames Tunnel (1825–1843) and the Great Exhibition of 1851 at the Crystal Palace dominated the news and popular imagination, generating more than 60 peepshows each, according to the Gestetner Collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum. These interactive optical devices allowed spectators to "travel back in time" and discover the wonders of the industrial age.
European Diffusion and National Specificities
This fashion spread rapidly across Europe, with each country developing its own characteristics: the Germans favoring Germanic tales and legends, the French drawing inspiration from the successes of the Opéra and the Comédie-Française, and the Italians celebrating the commedia dell'arte. Dean & Son of London, founded around 1800, became the leading producer of pop-up books and peepshows, proclaiming itself "the originator of the children's moving book" and developing sophisticated cutting and assembly techniques. This tradition, interrupted by the two world wars, was revived in the 1950s thanks to enthusiasts like Benjamin Pollock.
From Puppet Theatre to Contemporary Creations: A Living Tradition
The tradition of miniature theaters is also rooted in the folk art of puppetry, dating back to medieval times when street performances entertained passersby with fantastical stories and grotesque characters. In France, this tradition reached its peak with the Guignol theaters , created in Lyon in 1808 by Laurent Mourguet, which democratized miniature theater art among the working classes. In the 19th century, "toy theaters" became a favorite pastime for European bourgeois families, allowing them to recreate famous plays at home thanks to kits including colorful sets and figures to assemble. Under the impetus of Benjamin Pollock in London from 1850, these paper theaters experienced a remarkable boom, adapting the works of Charles Dickens, the fables of La Fontaine and major historical events. Despite the apparent decline in the age of photography and film, this tradition persists thanks to collectors and craft enthusiasts, finding a creative revival today among contemporary artists like Helen Bourch who explore new techniques while preserving the historical authenticity of this centuries-old art.
The history of miniature theaters is rich in creativity and diversity. These small theatrical worlds have evolved over time, offering spectators a unique and intimate experience. From pocket theaters to puppet theaters, each form has its own characteristics and distinct charm.
Marquise de Pompadour Collection:
The Art of the Enlightenment Salons
The Marquise de Pompadour Collection celebrates the artistic influence of Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson (1721-1764), mistress of Louis XV and a great patron of the arts. Madame de Pompadour revolutionized French aesthetics by encouraging the Rococo style and supporting the royal manufactories of Sèvres and Gobelins. Our collection theaters draw inspiration from her refined taste for the decorative arts and evoke the elegance of Parisian salons during the Enlightenment, where artists, philosophers, and aristocrats mingled in an atmosphere of intellectual refinement and curiosity.
Marie-Antoinette Collection:
The Reconstructed Versailles Queen's Theatre
Our Marie-Antoinette miniature theaters pay homage to the famous Théâtre de la Reine du Petit Trianon, built by architect Richard Mique between 1778 and 1779. Inaugurated on June 1, 1780, this 250-seat private theater embodied the queen's aspiration for a more intimate and authentic life. Our reproductions faithfully capture the aesthetics of this architectural gem: the exceptionally deep stage equipped with eight levels using the most advanced Baroque techniques, the blue and gold decor symbolic of French royalty, and the unique atmosphere of this place where Marie-Antoinette cultivated her theatrical passion far from Versailles etiquette.
Helen has a devouring passion for the creation and design of small theaters. Thanks to her expertise, she skillfully combines classical training as a painter and decorator with new technologies, thus giving birth to miniature models that are both innovative and imbued with theatrical tradition. These dioramas offer an enchanting look at a multitude of universes. With a unique artistic sensitivity, Helen personalizes her creations according to cultural events or places, thus adding a touch of authenticity and relevance to each of her new designs.
Among his most popular creations, the Pompadour model stands out for its refinement and elegance. Inspired by the Rococo style, this miniature theater evokes the opulence and splendor of the royal courts of the 18th century. Richly decorated and finely detailed, it appeals to collectors of dollhouse "toy theaters" with very French taste reminiscent of the luxury of Versailles, the bucolic paintings of Fragonard, commedia dell'arte or the life of Marie Antoinette...
“The theater is the mirror where man discovers himself when he searches for himself; there is no art that is more certain to represent him in his entire face.” Molière