Scandinavian Cruise - Day 8 - St Petersburg, Russia

Matryoshka Dolls

(Grandmother's Dolls)

The concept of nesting dolls has an extensive history going back at least 900 years. Nested folk boxes were first invented in China about 1,000 AD. In the early 1800's the Chinese first created wooden nesting dolls as we know them today. The early Chinese sets were thinly turned and grotesquely lacquered. The smallest doll in the set was a grain of rice. The development of the nesting dolls was furthered considerably in Russia as the concept spread West.

In the latter part of the 19thc. Russian artist Sergi Malyutin sketched the first Russian nested doll. Master carver V. Zveydochin turned the dolls on a wooden lathe, while Malyutin painted the first set himself. These pioneering Zveydochin Matryoshka dolls are on permanent display at the Museum of Toys in Zagorsk.

The Matryoshka popularity extended beyond the borders of that country after being displayed in the Paris World Exposition in 1900. A few years later, Yevgenny Bezrukov created a set of 70 dolls, hand carved from a lime tree. This set has been exhibited at three World Fairs.

In the 1920's exports of nesting dolls from Russia increased dramatically with the opening of a major production centre in Zagorsk. About the same time, nesting dolls were being made by German toy makers in and around Munich. The craft did not flourish there, but continued to prosper in Russia and Poland. It wasn't until the late 1950's and early 1960's that the Soviet dolls became well known outside their own country. In more recent years, other countries have “flattered” the Russians by imitating the nesting dolls, while introducing distinctive characteristics reflective of their own culture.

Nesting dolls are most often made off lathe hardwood. In the past, some sets were hand carved. A few plastic sets can even be found. However, hand-painted wooden sets most effectively reveal the artisan's skill and are most desirable. Nesting dolls characteristically split in half to reveal another, smaller doll, and yet another in diminishing size.

Nesting dolls are primarily sought out by adult collectors. The Russian types are particularly popular with adults since they are very artistic, detailed, delicate and varied. Yet children also love the Russian dolls, they enjoy opening and closing the sets, arranging and rearranging them for hours. The Matryoshka dolls have been special and treasured to many generations of children and make wonderful souvenirs or gifts from Russia.