What is a matryoshka doll?
Matryoshka dolls are set of dolls designed to nest one inside another. They are cut in half at the waist to be opened.
The original set of matryoshka was originally created in Russia in 1890 by Sergei Maliutin and Vasiliy Zvezdochkin, inspired by Japanese kokeshi dolls. The outermost figure is usually that of a woman in traditional Russian garb. Each successive doll is smaller than its predecessor, and the innermost doll is usually a baby that cannot be opened. The original set was presented at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900 and won a medal.
Modern matryoshka designs can include animals, Soviet leaders, fairy tale figures, and pop culture icons.
Table of Contents
Looking for something for your matryoshka collection?
Matryoshka photos
Further reading
Matryoshka books on Amazon
Matryoshka children's books on Amazon
Matryoshka craft books on Amazon
Collectors' Corner
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Matryoshka links
- Flickr: babushka love
- Babushka doll pool at Flickr.
- Flickr: Matryoshka matroska
- Matryoshka pool at Flickr.
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Thanks for visiting!
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Reply
- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Jan 23, 2009 @ 11:31 am
- I actually had some nesting dolls -- but don't know what I did with them. These are absolutely adorable! Welcome to the Everything Eastern European group.
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Reply
- CollectorsCottage CollectorsCottage Jan 20, 2009 @ 2:07 pm
- I love nesting dolls, there's just something very cute and cozy about them. Welcome to the Collector Clubs group!
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Reply
- mbrownauthor mbrownauthor Jan 17, 2009 @ 1:09 pm
- I love em'!
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