Matryoshka: Russian Nesting Dolls
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Russian Matryoshka Nesting Dolls Have a Colorful History
Matryoshka nesting dolls are known by many names - matryoshka dolls, Russian nesting dolls, babushka dolls, matrioshka, matroshka, matreshka, matryushka and stacking dolls are just a few.
The wooden nesting dolls first became popular at the end of the 19th century, when Sergei Maliutin was inspired to sketch a wooden nesting doll after seeing a Japanese doll representing the Seven Gods of Fortune. Maliutin designed a Russian version, which was carved in a toy workshop in the town of Sergiyev Posad. Today matyroshka dolls are created in hundreds of designs, from Disney nesting dolls to world leader nesting dolls, and many other fun creations.
(Image of Matryoshka Russian nesting dolls from Amazon)History of Russian Matryoshka Nesting Dolls
Matryoshka nesting dolls are a relatively new Russian handicraft; the first one dates from 1890, and is said to have been inspired by souvenir dolls from Japan. However, the concept of nested objects was familiar in Russia, having been applied to carved wooden apples and Easter eggs. The first Fabergé egg, created in 1885, had a nesting of egg, yolk, hen, and crown.The story goes that Sergei Maliutin, a painter from a folk crafts workshop in the Abramtsevo estate of a famous Russian industrialist and patron of arts Savva Mamontov, saw a set of Japanese wooden dolls representing Shichi-fuku-jin, the Seven Gods of Fortune. The largest doll was that of Fukurokuju, a happy bald god with an unusually tall chin. It nested the six remaining deities. Inspired, Maliutin drew a sketch of a Russian version of the toy. It was carved by Vasiliy Zvezdochkin in a toy workshop in Sergiyev Posad and painted by Sergei Maliutin. It consisted of eight dolls; the outermost was a girl in an apron, then the dolls alternated between boy and girl, with the innermost - a baby.
In 1900, M.A. Mamontova, the wife of Savva Mamontov, presented the dolls at the World Exhibition in Paris and the toy earned a bronze medal. Soon, many other places in Russia started making matryoshki of various styles.
During Perestroika matryoshkas featuring the leaders of the Soviet Union became a common variety. Starting with the largest, Mikhail Gorbachev, then Leonid Brezhnev (Yuri Andropov and Konstantin Chernenko almost never appear due to the short length of their respective terms), then Nikita Khrushchev, Josef Stalin and finally the smallest, Vladimir Lenin. Newer versions starts with Vladimir Putin and then follows with Boris Yeltsin, Mikhail Gorbachev, Josef Stalin and then Vladimir Lenin.
A doll which represents an old woman is often called baboushka or babushka, that which represents an old man dedoushka or dedushka.
There are several areas with notable matryoshka styles; Sergiyev Posad, Semionovo (currently town of Semyonov), Polkholvsky Maidan, and Kirov.
- from Wikipedia
To save money on Russian nesting dolls and other gifts from Russia, see the Russian Legacy coupons on ChristmasCoupons365.com.
Traditional Russian Matryoshka Nesting Dolls
Disney Nesting Dolls
Political Nesting Dolls
Matryoshka Books on Amazon
Read more about this Russian folk art
Russian Nesting Doll Puzzle
Put together an online puzzle with matryoshka dolls
Flash Puzzle Zone is a site for puzzle enthusiasts. Among their many jigsaws is one featuring Russian dolls. Try your hand and see if you can beat the top time, or check out the other options, such as the slide puzzle or the photo hunt versions. Russian Nesting Dolls T-Shirts & Products on CafePress
Matryoshka nesting doll shirts, calendars and gifts
Matryoshka Posters

Matryoshka Nesting Dolls, Budapest, Hungary Photographic Print

Matryoshka Dolls for Sale, Odesa, Ukraine

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Matryoshka Dolls, Sparrow Hills, Moscow, Russia Photographic Print
Matryoshka Dolls, Sparrow Hills, Moscow, Russia Photographic Print
Blank Matryoshka Nesting Dolls
Unpainted nesting dolls allow you to make your own creations
More Places to Buy Russian Matryoshka Nesting Dolls Online
Here are some online stores that sell matryoshka dolls and other Russian souvenirs and products.
Russian Legacy - offers a wide selection of nesting dolls in a variety of categories, from animals and cartoons to music and politics.
Bits and Pieces - sells nesting dolls that will appeal to children, such as sets featuring endangered species, trains and other animals.
Russian Foods.com - carries traditional nesting dolls and other folk art in addition to Russian food
The Russian Store - offers a good selection of matryoshka and other Russian products
Russian Matryoshka Nesting Dolls on eBay
Let Us Know You Were Here
If you like this page or nesting dolls, please leave us a message.
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KarenKay
Sep 19, 2011 @ 7:02 pm | delete
- I love these things! I have some I found at a thrift store, of U.S. Presidents! I keep 'em with my Christmas stuff just because they are a fun thing to play with every year! Great lens!
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gregoryolney
Aug 18, 2011 @ 6:04 am | delete
- I bought my first set in Moscow in 1986 - still have them !
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resabi
Aug 14, 2011 @ 9:20 pm | delete
- I've always been intrigued by matryoshka dolls, especially the ones that tell a story when lined up. Blessed.
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giftskingdom
Mar 27, 2011 @ 7:34 am | delete
- I love Matryoshka dolls! so cute!
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Tipi
Dec 15, 2010 @ 3:12 pm | delete
- I love Matryoshka Dolls and have always been fascinated by them. My sister brought some back from the former USSR, along with some great chocolate for me. One that she gave to our Mom is beyond beautiful and so detailed, now that was a rare find.
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imaginemdd
Oct 4, 2010 @ 8:13 pm | delete
- This is an interesting page about Matryoshka, Russian nesting dolls. Thanks for the info. I've added a link on my doll & puppet directory lens.
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Octo-Dolls.com
Sep 30, 2010 @ 7:48 pm | delete
- There are also fun satirical dolls as well. I've seen the de-evolution of Michael Jackson (from older and chopped up to younger and more natural), etc... We make one of the OctoMom that we are quite proud of.
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Gloriousconfusion
Sep 12, 2010 @ 8:51 pm | delete
- Lovely lens!
I have given sets of Russian nesting dolls to countless children over the years - they always seem to bring such pleasure, and they look so appealing. I've brought them back to England from Russia and also from Bulgaria where they are also very popular and are sold in every market
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poutine
Aug 11, 2010 @ 5:59 pm | delete
- It's quite an art to be able to do those dolls.
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WindyWinters
Jan 4, 2010 @ 12:55 pm | delete
- Awesome Lens on Russian Nesting Dolls. I have a set as well that my grandparents brought back from a trip to Russia. We call them babuska "old lady" dolls. Happy New Year and Best Wishes for 2010!
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More Sites About Matryoshka
- Art of Matryoshka
- The Best Matryoshka Dolls of Russian Artists. Outstanding masterpieces of professional artists. Matryoshka, nevaljashka, easter eggs, nesting doll, Russian art
- Answers.com - matryoshka
- information about matryoshka dolls from Answers.com
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