Late Victorian Dummy Board

A delightful late Victorian dummy board in the form of a traditionally dressed lady sporting a yellow bonnet adorned with a blue sash.

Also referred to as ‘silent companions’, dummy boards are typically simple in construction and made of light oak with rectangular bases. Dating back to as early as the 17th Century, dummy boards originated from the Netherlands where they were adopted by the visiting British and North Americans.

Dummy boards were commonly used in large houses as a deterrent for possible intruders by giving the impression the property was occupied. They were also used to make a room seem larger than it actually was.

It is thought that the term ‘silent companions’ stems from the idea that dummy boards gave company to owners in an effort to combat loneliness.

English, circa 1890.