RusCrafts

Ask about Russian arts and crafts, and most people will probably describe the Matryoshka doll. This relatively new craft form has become representative of Russian folk work worldwide.

Dating back only to the 1890s, the Matryoshka doll is brightly painted, basically cylindrical, wooden figurine, split into top and bottom sections. Another figurine is nested inside, and another in that. There is no standard for the number of nested dolls; there can be as few as 3, or as many as 37 dolls nested together. They usually range in height from one to seven inches.

Within this basic description, Matryoshka dolls can vary widely. The nested figurines are most frequently painted as variations of the outermost doll, usually a brightly clad Russian peasant woman, but it’s not uncommon to find Matryoshka dolls that are painted as the various characters in a folktale. Children’s tales such as Peter and the Wolf, or caricatures of political and pop culture personalities, are common subjects for this craft.

The paintwork on a Matryoshka doll is the true expression of craftsmanship on these toys. The colors are usually bright and cheerful, and the characters are highly detailed. Once painted, the dolls are most often glazed to prevent chipping.

While Matryoshka dolls are commonly seen as childrens’ toys, they also frequent the shelves of collectors. These charming dolls are a good example of the creation of a cultural phenomenon in modern times.