Matryoshka -- Russian nesting dolls
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What is a matryoshka doll?
Matryoshka dolls are sets of hollow dolls designed to nest one inside another. They are cut in half at the waist with the intent to be opened.
Modern matryoshka designs can include animals, Soviet leaders, fairy tale figures, and pop culture icons.
Table of Contents
- History of Russian nesting dolls
- Matryoshka books
- Semenov matryoshka dolls
- Viatka or Kirov matryohska dolls
- Tver or Kalinin matryoshka dolls
- Polkhovsky Maidan matryoshka dolls
- Sergiev-Posad matryoshka dolls
- A collection of matryoshka dolls
- Vintage matryoshka dolls
- And modern Russian nesting dolls, too!
- Looking for matryoshka fabric?
- Kawaii Matryoshka from Japan
- Bandai Unazukin matryoshka dolls
- Russian nesting doll pictures
- Looking for more matryoshka pictures?
- Matryoshka children's books
- Make your own set of matryoshka dolls!
- Matryoshka links
History of Russian nesting dolls
The original set of matryoshka art dolls 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 matryoshka dolls were presented at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900 and won a medal.
Matryoshka books
Types of matryoshka nesting dolls
Semenov matryoshka dolls
The Semenov matryoshka dolls are made in a traditional style and painted in aniline dyes. The apron is the focal point: there will be a large asymmetrical flower bouquet. Three colours are used for these dolls: red, yellow, and green. There is often a spiral design on the headscarf of the dolls.
Viatka or Kirov matryohska dolls
The Viatka matryohska dolls have rounded child-like facial features. They are painted in simple bright colours with a floral design on the apron.
Tver or Kalinin matryoshka dolls
Tver matryoshka are distinctive in that they are often painted over a wood-burned design which enhances the detailing of their clothing. The colours used are very bright with non-stylized apron designs.
Polkhovsky Maidan matryoshka dolls
The matryoshka from Polkhovsky Maidan are quite stylized, often having spiral curls for hair. Their outfits tend toward yellow tones with some reds and greens used.
Sergiev-Posad matryoshka dolls
Those matryohska dolls produced in Sergiev-Posad are far more modern in appearance than those elsewhere. Many have detailed face-painting and bodies. The designs are not restricted to the traditional floral apron. It is not unusual to find matryoshka dolls from this region with domed churches, snow scenes, and fairytale paintings.
A collection of matryoshka dolls
Vintage matryoshka dolls
And modern Russian nesting dolls, too!
Looking for matryoshka fabric?
Kawaii Matryoshka from Japan
Bandai Unazukin matryoshka dolls

Violet Fairy Voice Control Unazukin Nodding Doll Toy
This is a lovely and beautiful Nodding Doll Toy. Exacting manufacturing standards deliver hours of interactive fun. The cute doll will listen to your worries dedicated and respond you through nodding or shaking her head.
Buy Violet Fairy Voice Control Unazukin Nodding Doll Toy
Flower Version Cherry Blossom Unazukin Nodding Doll ToyThis is a lovely and beautiful Nodding Doll Toy. Exacting manufacturing standards deliver hours of interactive fun. The cute doll will listen to your worries dedicated and respond you through nodding or shaking her head.
Buy Flower Version Cherry Blossom Unazukin Nodding Doll Toy
Flower Version Voice Control Rose Unazukin Nodding Doll ToyThis is a lovely and beautiful Nodding Doll Toy. Exacting manufacturing standards deliver hours of interactive fun. The cute doll will listen to your worries dedicated and respond you through nodding or shaking her head.
Buy Flower Version Voice Control Rose Unazukin Nodding Doll Toy
Looking for more matryoshka pictures?
Matryoshka children's books
Make your own set of matryoshka dolls!
nesting dolls are fun to paint
Matryoshka links
- Flickr: babushka love
- Babushka doll pool at Flickr.
- Flickr: Matryoshka matroska
- Matryoshka pool at Flickr.
Thanks for visiting!
Did you enjoy reading this lens? Would you like to leave some feedback, or just make a suggestion? I'm always glad to hear what more you'd like to see here!
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aksem62
Apr 8, 2012 @ 3:49 pm | delete
- Great ! It seems you know more about matryoshkas than me, though I live in Moscow, Russia.
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SRitchieable
Dec 6, 2011 @ 7:40 pm | delete
- Before this, all I knew about Russian nesting dolls was that they were Russian and nested. Thanks for the great information - and the flickr slideshow is a winner too.
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Tolovaj
Aug 21, 2011 @ 1:24 pm | delete
- Beautiful, you can't miss with gift like this
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daria369
Aug 10, 2011 @ 8:28 am | delete
- I had a set of these dolls years ago. My mom brought them from her trip to Russia. Nice lens, made me smile... :)
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howtocurecancer
Apr 2, 2011 @ 1:13 am | delete
- I like the matryoshka dolls. Give you a thumbs up.
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