What is a dummy board?

Dummy boards were flat cutouts of people that were painted to resemble other people in a household. It’s believed that they originated in Holland in the 17th century and quickly became a popular item to have in the home. They create the appearance of other people being in a home and are sometimes called silent companions. Their true purpose isn’t entirely understood. Shop a collection of dummy boards from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.