Nesting dolls have come a long way from their humble origins. The first recorded nesting doll was made in Russia in 1890. This doll was rather simple compared to the Russian dolls we all know and love today. It was made entirely by hand with simple tools and was hand painted by the inventor, Vasily Zvyozdochkin. Nowadays, Russian matryoshka dolls are available in all shapes and sizes, but sometimes its nice to get back to your roots...
Traditional Nesting Dolls
Some are still made by hand, but many are made with the help of machines today. Here at The Russian Store we offer our customers a wide variety of nesting dolls both inspired from the past and the future. Our best sellers, however, are consistently our "Red Roses" line of traditional Russian nesting dolls. Each year we try to keep our warehouses full of these dolls, but each year we still sell out of some sizes. We offer the traditional "Red Roses" design in a variety of sizes from 3 piece sets to 30 piece sets. So no matter what you are looking to spend, we have you covered. These classic designs have stood the test of time thanks in large to the conventional wisdom of those who have come before us. The ideas and customs that created these dolls are uniquely Russian, but you don't have to be Russian or even understand it to enjoy these cute stackable dolls.Never is there a doll in Russian. Typically there are no words on these nesting dolls; the ideas and themes are meant to be universally understood. The simple charm that a nesting doll provides can transcend any culture. It is customary for Russian folk art artists to decorate their dolls with bright colors and smiling faces. No matter what language you speak you are sure to understand where the artist was coming from. The artists do not need to use any words, they let their art speak for itself, and people usually get it. Nesting dolls are meant to be jovial, fun, exciting, and charming. If you crack a smile after looking at a Russian nesting doll, the artist has done their job, and our line of traditional nesting dolls are meant to do just that. In addition, traditional matryoshka dolls are meant to celebrate traditional Russian culture. It is customary to show the subject of the nesting doll wearing some sort of traditional Russian clothing. Sometimes they are wearing Russian hats, but more often the dolls that feature women often show them wearing a traditional Russian shawl.
Food and drink are also common themes in traditional Russian babushka dolls. When you browse our collection of traditional dolls you will see many depictions of women with either bread or tea in their hands. Russia has a deep rooted tradition of taking care of guests. If you are ever a guest in a Russian home they will not let you leave until your belly is full. Hospitality is a major pillar of traditional Russian culture, and it still lives on today. Many homes will have a samovar (tea pot) and guests will always be offered tea.
The bottom line is that nesting doll are meant to be played with and enjoyed. Even if you are just opening the doll to displaying it on your mantle, you still must actively pay attention to how each doll lines up. Don't press too hard or you'll break it. Don't open it too fast or you'll loose that little one. Take your time. Be careful. Have fun, and enjoy your nesting doll just as people have been enjoying their nesting dolls for over a hundred years. These customary, time honored designs make the a perfect gift, or addition to a collection. They are all hand-crafted, and imported directly from Russia. Click HERE to visit our blog and learn how to open nesting dolls without breaking them.
