The Matryoshka Doll in Russian Culture

The Matryoshka Doll in Russian Culture To non-Russians, the matryoshka, or nesting doll, is one of the most quintessential representations of traditional Russian peasant life. Surprisingly, however, the matryoshka is barely one hundred years old. The first matryoshka, created in 1892, very much resembles the matryoshkas found in gift shops worldwide today.

Princess Maria Tenisheva was a major figure in the Russian production revival, as she set up a system of workshops at her estate Talashkino. Toymakers in the leading toy centers of Sergiev Posad and Semyonov swiftly began producing matryoshkas (Roosevelt). The dolls soon became a major export as a Russian souvenir.

While some dolls are carefully handmade, most continue to be made in factories. Recently it has become fashionable to create matryoshkas of nearly any possible subject — including a set of dolls depicting Russian leaders like Vladimir Putin, Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, and Josef Stalin. This set was, in fact, banned in Moscow for misrepresenting the Russian spirit, considered “vulgar, unethical, and degrading” (“Not” 8).

These are the wooden dolls known as kokeshi on which Anatoly Mamontov had based the original matryoshkas. In the same vein as the matryoshka’s representation of the mother, the kokeshi represents the child. Rather, the matryoshka is more likely to be seen as a metaphor for something nesting inside something else.

The matryoshkas have occupied a curious space in the Russian consciousness for just over a hundred years. To their foreign buyers, the matryoshkas continue to represent a dream of ancient Russian peasant beliefs. To Russians, they are little more than just another toy, yet they do embody a deep love of their nation.

What Are The Russian Nesting Dolls Better Known As In Their Country Of Origin?

One look at these colorful and beautifully painted wooden dolls, and you’ll suddenly feel a cosmic-like force enveloping your spiritual being. The Russian nesting dolls, which are better known as matryoshka nesting dolls in their country of origin, embody a young yet still a timeless depiction of a simple and fairytale-like early times. A Brief History of the Birth of the First Russian Nesting Dolls Completed in 1890, the first set of the Russian nesting dolls were crafted by a woodworker named Vasilii Zvyozdochkin, and painted by an artist, Sergei Malyutin.

Shortly after, the dolls gained popularity and began to be manufactured from many parts of Russia. Soon enough, matryoshka dolls not only became known nationwide but also exported worldwide. Symbolism of the Matryoshka Dolls When the early nesting dolls were created, all of them were presented with females as their biggest dolls.

Each member of the family is believed to have their own unique role in the household, and it’s the mother who serves as the foundation of the home. So, it was more than fitting for the nesting dolls to be named “matryoshka dolls” because of who and what they symbolize. However, people of the west are calling them “babushka dolls” instead of the original matryoshka; and although the term babushka is still associated with Russia, the name behind that holds a completely different meaning.

The dolls represent a mother’s fertility, so, it was not a fit for them to be called as such. However, some suggest that the dolls were erroneously called babushka dolls because of their headkerchiefs, as the piece of clothing is really called a babushka. Modern times are beginning to demand modern characters.

If preferred, the designs can be fictional like the characters of a cartoon show or a children’s story. For a truly customized wooden dolls set, one can have his or her own family as the design. It’s not hard to believe that the matryoshka dolls are a sight to behold, and the act of breaking the doll apart only to reveal a smaller one inside is indeed a surprise for many.

What Was The Name Of The First Wooden Handmade Nesting Doll In Russia?

These dolls have been a symbol of the traditional Russian life, the importance of a mother in the family, and a great deal of respect given to her by a family with many children and their extended members under one roof. Strong evidence points out that other forms of nesting dolls existed hundreds of years before the first matryoshka set was even made. So, You’re Saying That Nesting Dolls Were Never Invented in Russia?

Despite the fact that nesting dolls gained worldwide exposure and popularity from Russia, there is physical proof that the idea of the nesting of dolls inside one another has existed since the beginning of the first millennium—that’s nearly 900 years before the first matryoshka dolls were made. This concept would then evolve from nesting boxes to nesting dolls, serving as the foundation of the world’s first nesting dolls. The First Matryoshka Dolls in Russia Elizaveta Mamontova was the wife of a wealthy Russian, industrialist, and entrepreneur named Savva Mamontov.

The Children’s Education Workshop aimed to design and construct children’s dolls which would depict and represent the traditional Russian lifestyle and culture. There is no clear certainty that Elizaveta bought the doll to the workshop thus serving as an inspiration for the workers there, including Vasilii Zvyozdochkin and Sergei Malyutin—two people behind the world’s first matryoshka dolls. Some historians believe that the inspiration came from Russia itself, not a doll from another country.

Wherever the spark came from, this idea inspired him and Malyutin to create the first ever set of the Russian nesting dolls. This inspiration resulted in the Rooster Girl, which they named “matryoshka”. The matryoshka nesting doll was the first wooden handmade nesting doll in Russia.

Regardless of the name, the biggest doll of the matryoshka set symbolizes the mother of a Russian family. This justifies the basis of females always being the biggest dolls in the set. Inside her were seven other dolls nested within each other.

What Symbol Of Russia Is More Popular Than The Traditional Russian Nesting Doll?

Matryoshka – The Russian Nesting Doll Photo by marcos_leal CC GA 2.0 It’s hard to find a symbol of Russia more popular than the traditional Russian nesting doll. The lovers of exotics collect matryoshkas in Australia and South Africa. The simplicity and originality of matryoshka dolls attract the fans of Russian folk art from around the world.

The history of Russian nesting dolls Some historians of Russian life argue that matryoshka dolls originated from Japanese traditional dolls. The first Russian nesting doll set appeared in Moscow in 1890’s. All eight dolls depicted children — the outermost was a girl holding a rooster, six inner dolls were girls, the fifth doll was a boy, and the innermost was a baby.

The popularity of the dolls even gave rise to a few companies in Germany which produced counterfeit nesting dolls and sold them as Russian toys. How are Russian nesting dolls made? It takes a lot of skill to make a Russian nesting doll set.

Matryoshka dolls are often painted holding a basket of berries, bread, or a bunch of flowers in their hands. The number of nested dolls in a set could vary from two to sixty however a classic set normally included five nested figures. The nesting dolls can be painted to follow the traditional theme or any other style, including fairy tales characters, animals, famous political leaders, historical figures, musicians and popular movie stars.

Russian nesting dolls: Record-breakers In 1913, a factory in the city of Semyonov produced a matryoshka dolls set that consisted of 48 figures and was painted in traditional red and yellow colors. In the meantime, the biggest Russian dolls set was presented at the exhibition in Japan in 1970. Russian masters from Semenov showcased a matryoshka set that included seventy-two figures.

What Was The Name Of The First Russian Nesting Doll?

One of artist of Mamontov’s artistic surrounding Sergei Maliutin was intrigued by the Fururuma nesting doll and he decided to make an something similar but with Russian peculiarity, an own Russian nesting doll. The first Russian nesting doll described a peasant family – a mother with her 7 children. Sergiev Posad style of Russian nesting dolls Until the end of 90s of 19 century the nesting dolls dolls were made in Moscow studio Children’s education, and after its closure production of nested dolls have moved to the training and demonstration workshops in Sergiev Posad near Moscow.

In time it was developed into the biggest monastery of Russia. Wooden toys, which were known as Trinity toys, became particularly popular. Sergiev Posad was a colorful, truly Russian town.

Highly skilled masters turned RUssian dolls with very thin sides, which was considered to be a special art of matryoshka turning. On other hand there were many independent workshops of Sergiev Posad where skilled artisans worked and they crated their own style of Russian matryoshka doll. 60- pieces nesting doll is consider being the biggest one among the matryoshkas of Sergiev Posad.

Of course, many changes occurred during long history of crafts in Semionovo but even now about 200 items are produced in factories and privately in this region, 33 countries import goods from this small town. Semionovo is famous for its wooden painted tableware, wooden toys and, of course, matryoshkas. Semionovo style The matryoshka of Semionovo are famous for containing many pieces.

The first nesting doll was made in Polkhovsky Maidan in 1930-s, as other goods in that time the doll was made by poker work. A few matryoshka’s types were developed for factory production: Semionovo type, Sergiev Posad type, Kirov (Viatka) type and some other. It was easier to work at the factories of Semionovo where many new types of wooden toys were created.

What Are The Best Known And Most Popular Russian Souvenirs?

Matryoshka: Russian Wooden Nesting Dolls Nesting dolls are the best known and most popular of all Russian souvenirs. In the traditional nesting doll sets all of the dolls look almost identical to one another, and the number of dolls in the set ranges from 5 to 30, but some custom made matryoshkas contain many more. Russian Nesting Doll Styles Classic Traditional Politics Custom Made Cartoons Religion Large Blank Exclusive Sets Nesting Dolls as Gifts Russian nesting dolls make wonderful gifts, and are traditionally given on many kinds of special occasions.

Nesting Doll Making It was quite easy for Russian craftsmen who had had a considerable experience in turning wooden objects which fitted inside each other (for example, Easter eggs) to work out the nesting doll making technology. Then the logs are cut into workpieces for nesting dolls. Every workpiece can be turned as many as 15 times before the nesting doll will be ready.

Then the ring is made to fit on the upper part of the nesting doll and then its lower part can be made. Now it is ready to be painted. Early Nesting doll Sergiev Posad – the birthplace of the first Russian nesting doll – was a colorful, truly Russian town.

Some nesting dolls were devoted to historical themes. For example, there is a whole range of Russian nesting dolls depicting Russian tsars, Russian and foreign state and public officials. The nesting dolls portraying modern politicians have a grotesque style – old tradition appeared long time ago.

Long time ago at the beginning of the 20th century some painters tried to use nesting doll as a surface to paint some pictures on it. The trend of using decorative elements which are typical for Russian folk culture traditional centers becomes more and more popular in the decoration of modern nesting doll. This type of art revealed their energy which has been preserved for a long time.

When Did The Export Of Matryoshka Begin?

The export of Matryoshka began at the beginning of the 20th century. This was highly promoted by the Leipzig Trade Fair; and since 1909 Matryoshka became a permanent exhibit of all exhibitions in Berlin and was shown at the annual bazaar of handicrafts in London. The lovely character of a Russian woman gained popularity first among visitors of various exhibitions and then quickly caught on in entire Europe.

35 thousand participants from 131 countries came to Moscow; most of them bought Russian Matryoshka and carried them all over the world. The main purpose of the doll is to surprise. Matryoshka can be not only a female; some portray young cowherds, others a bride and a groom, famous artists and politicians.

How Many Russian Nesting Dolls Are Produced Each Year In Russia?

That said, another classic symbol of Russia spreading throughout the world is the Russian nesting doll. With around 1.2 million produced in Russia every year, it might seem like they have always been a part of Russian culture. However, the Russian nesting doll, also known commonly as Matryoshka dolls, has only existed for around one hundred and thirty years.

What is a Russian Nesting Doll? A Russian nesting doll is a hollowed wooden doll made from linden trees and carved into the approximate shape of a limbless person, typically painted with vivid colors. The doll can be opened to reveal another hollow figure inside.

The History of the Russian Nesting Doll There’s a bit of a debate over the exact inspiration behind Russian nesting dolls, though the history is clear. In 1890 at the Abramtsevo estate north of Moscow, which served as an artist colony for most of the 19th century, the Russian painter Sergey Malyutin designed the first Russian nesting doll. Malyutin was part of the Arts and Crafts movement, a response to the Industrial Revolution and industrialization of art across Europe.

But the matter of Malyutin’s specific inspiration is one of contention, with some arguing his original inspiration derived from the Japanese nesting doll. A traditional Russian nesting doll will always be hand carved and hand painted and will be priced accordingly. Larger, unique nesting dolls can reach into the thousands of dollars, but as with most collectibles, you tend to get what you pay for.

But one of the most interesting, popular and totally unexpected themes in Russian nesting dolls is political leaders. The Largest Russian Nesting Dolls Keep your eyes out for very large sets as well. From the Russian peasant in her kerchief to fairy tale creatures and Lenin, Russian dolls cannot be classified under a single style.

What Are The Russian Nesting Dolls An Epitome Of?

The Russian nesting dolls are truly an epitome of the traditional Russian style. Matryoshka dolls are created by hand, and the images are carefully hand-painted by artists. Matryoshkas make a great gift for a child as he or she is still forming their perception of the world.

You can choose from our classic Russian nesting dolls (hand painted wooden dolls that are placed one inside another) or fine matryoshka jewelry (pendants and earrings in Fabergé- Egg Styles). However, it is nesting dolls that have become one of the most recognizable symbols of Russia. This promptly made the world fall in love with these cute, bubbly doll stacks, turning them into the archetype of The Russian gift.

Zvyozdochkin and Malutin decided to design a doll that would convey the very core of the Russian dusha, or soul, which represents specific Russian cultural and artistic traditions to the world. But why the name matryoshka? The word matryoshka is based on the Russian name of Matryona (or Matryosha), which was one of the most popular female names if the 19th century Russia, emphasizing the fact that this doll represents all Russia women. – Babushka doll Sometimes matryoshka is called – babushka!

A girl becomes a mom, a babushka, a grand babushka, and it goes on forever. The nesting dolls also portrayed notable figures such as the Imperial Family, boyars and their families, politicians, celebrities, musicians and other such acclaimed political and cultural personages. The process of making the dolls is very meticulous itself, and greatly relies on the wood turning skills of Russian craftsmen.

Subject matter of Nesting Dolls Later Nesting dolls craftsmen started to use a wider range of subject matter other than the traditional Russian woman/mother: Russian folk tales, seasons of the year, fairy tales, household pets, etc. Popular culture, including various singers, band members, actors, cartoon characters and celebrities, are another source of inspiration of Nesting dolls design. Our store offers a wide range of Matryoshka Dolls Hand painted nesting dolls Inexpensive matryoshkas Traditional Matryoshka Dolls Large matryoshka dolls Collector’s Edition stacking dolls Famous people nesting dolls Nesting dolls with pictures of American presidents New York City Matryoshkas Winter and Christmas themes Jewish themes Matryoshkas Ballerina stacking doll Matryoshkas key chains Matryoshkas pendants and earrings Nesting never-fall-doll Matryoshkas with cartoon characters Cats and dogs matryoshkas