Matryoshka Russian Nesting Dolls

For almost 100 years the best known Russian souvenir has been the matryoska doll. This colorful doll was developed in the 1890's during the Russian Arts and Crafts movement, when wealthy arts patrons built studios on their estates and folk craftsman were invited to work alongside professional artists. Elite collectors of fine and folk art eagerly sought peasent toys and crafts as a focus for education about Russian life and with intent of reviving a purely Russian style.

A Childrens Education Workshop was opened in Moscow at the turn of the century to make dolls that demostrated the varied, coloful styles of regional peasant costumes. S.V Malyutin, an artist, sketched a take-apart doll of a peasant girl in traditional costume. Inside the girl, was a boy and then five girls. Each doll was different from the other, and the smallest was a baby. The dolls were then carved by master carver V. Zvedochkin. Malyutin then painted and varnished. This original matryoshka doll is now on display at the Zagorsk Museum of Toys.

But how did Malyutin get this idea? Curiously , it seems that he was inspired by a take-apart doll in the form of an old man with four different dolls inside that his wife brought back from a visit to the Japenese island of Honshu. Even more interestingly, the Japenese claim that the first such doll made on Honshu was crafted by a Russian monk!

Whatever its origins, the nesting doll is now considered to be an exemplary piece of Russian folk art.

The Russian people give the dolls to newborns and children. From the start , represented woman as a vessel of life. The name "matryoshka" is derived from from the Latin word "mater" meaning "mother".

Traditional Nesting Dolls Assorment

3 nests- $15.00 each

7 nests- $30.00 each

10 nests- $130.00 each

Wood Burned Nesting Dolls

5 nests- $30.00

10 nests- $130.00

Bogorodskoye Wooden Toys

The village of Bogorodskoye, located in the heart of thick woods, has been a major woodcarving center since the 16th century. Villagers boast that even Peter the Great played with wooden toy soldiers whittled by local artisans. The fame of these craftsmen is such that toys produced by Bogorodskoye carvers in the first half of the 19th century are considered classics of Russian folk art. The Bogorodskoye toy figures draw on the vast Russian folk tradition.

Self_Moving, Hand_Carved Toys- $20.00 each

Amber

Amber Jewelry and Crafts_Please Call for Details

Russian Commanders Wrist Watches_ Wind up Style_ Assorted- $ 50.00

Pocket Watches_Wind up Style- $55.00

Items Not Shown Include:

Russian Flasks- $20.00 each

Nesting Doll Brouches_ 5 Nests_ Assorted- $10.00 each

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