They date back as far as 200BC, right through to modern day, and now a Norwich museum has put a mini exhibition together to celebrate the enigma of dolls.

The family-friendly exhibition at Strangers' Hall, off Charing Cross in the city centre, focuses on the development of the doll from being a plaything and childhood friend to becoming a cultural icon.

Entitled Mini Me, it has been put on in partnership with Langley's Toy Shop who have provided some of the exhibits.

Click here to see a photo gallery of Langley's through the ages.

Museum curator Cathy Terry said: 'Strangers' Hall has always been known for its toy collections and displays, so it's particularly exciting to have a lovely new selection of dolls on display for the summer.

'Visitors can see dolls from the 19th century alongside their very modern counterparts, and also on display are no less than four doll's houses, including the gorgeous Norwich baby house.

'You can also see an old fashioned rocking horse and a stunning Noah's ark set.'

Mini Me has been developed with two of Norfolk Museum Service's Teaching Museum trainees, Lauren O'Grady and Katie Phillips, who are half way through a twelve month paid traineeship with the service, designed to give them practical experience of working in the heritage sector.

Miss Phillips said: 'It focuses on what it is about dolls we really love - it's interesting through history they have been playthings as well as ornaments.'

Anna McCarthy, informal learning officer from Norfolk Museums Service, said a film had also been created as part of the exhibition, which would be shown during opening hours.

'This will help tell people more about the history of dolls,' she said.

Click here to read about an Aylsham's woman collection of more than 3,000 dolls.

John Fielding, of Langley's, added: 'Having sold dolls to the people of Norfolk for the last 131 years, it feels right that Langleys should link with Stranger's Hall Museum for this wonderful doll exhibition.

'For thousands of years, dolls in one form or another have fascinated girls and boys, giving them the chance to develop their cognitive, fine motor and self-help skills. It is impossible to forget the emotional attachment and love that most of us felt, as young children for our dolls.'

• Mini-Me runs until September 3, Wednesdays to Saturdays, from 10am to 4pm.

• Are you hosting an unusual exhibition in the city? Email reporter donna-louise.bishop@archant.co.uk, ring 01603 693892 or follow @donnaloubishop on Twitter.