Matryoshka/ Матрёшка
The Matryoshka (матрешка) or nesting doll is one of the most recognizable symbols of Russia. However, the first Matryoshka doll wasn't made until 1892. The origin of the Matryoshka is actually Japanese! Sava Mamontov brought a Japanese Fukurama doll back from a trip to Japan as a gift for his wife Elizaveta. At the Children's Education Workshop, created by Mamontov's brother Anatoly, Vasily Zvezdochkin carved the first Russian version of the nesting doll and folk craft painter Sergei Malyutin painted it.
In 1900, Elizaveta Mamontova presented the dolls at the Paris Exposition, where they earned a bronze medal. Soon after, the dolls became popular in Russia and many regions developed their own unique style. You can now find Matryoshka dolls with all sorts of themes including cartoon characters, politicians, athletes, and more.
Many people call these dolls Russian nesting dolls or babushka dolls. The word Matryoshka comes from the Russian name Matryona, which means little mother. The Russian word for mother is mat' (мать).
Matryoshka dolls vary in size and style. Different regions throughout Russia have their own unique take on the Matryoshka doll. Besides the traditional Matryoshka, dolls featuring politicians, athletes, cartoon characters, fairytale scenes, folk painting, pottery designs, and animals can now be found.
According to the Guiness Book of World Records, "The largest set of Russian dolls is a 51-piece set hand-painted by Youlia Bereznitskaia (Russia). The largest measures 1 ft 9.25 in (53.97 cm) in height, the smallest 0.125 in (0.31 cm) in height. The set was completed on 25 April 2003. When all 51 pieces are lined up together touching, they measure 11 ft 2.25 in length."
Color your own Matryoshka doll with this printable coloring page.
You can paint your own Matryoshka doll by purchasing blank nesting dolls. These are available at craft stores, on Amazon, or through Matryoshka retail stores.
Matryoshka doll with Russian leaders: Boris Yeltsin, Mikhail Gorbachev, Leonid Brezhnev, Joseph Stalin, and Vladimir Lenin. Wikimedia Commons
Soviet era matryoshka celebrating Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova. Wikimedia Commons
English cocker spaniel on a matryoshka doll. Wikimedia Commons
Brief history of the Matryoshka doll
Learn how Matryoshka dolls are made
Intricately painted matryoshka dolls depicting scenes from folklore and fairytales. Licensed through Adobe Stock.
The original matryoshka by Vasily Zvyozdochkin in 1899. Wikimedia Commons
Matryoshka dolls for sale at a Moscow market. Licensed through Adobe Stock
Matryoshka Styles Across Russia
Polkhovski Maidan
These matryoshki are recognizable for their bright burgundy, purple, red, and green colors. The biggest defining feature is the red rose on the apron.
Semenov matryoshka
The Semenov matryoshka is painted using red, blue, and yellow paints. A significant portion of the apron in unpainted wood.
Wood-burned Matryoshka
The first wood-burned matryoshki were made in Polkhovsky Maidan in the 1930s.
Kirovskaya matryoshka
Unique for their smiles and their typically red or blonde hair. They have on head scarves and the dresses feature bouquets of flowers such as peonies, forget-me-nots, and roses.
Khokhloma Matryoshka
Some matryoshki are painted in the khokhloma folk style which originated in a town of the same name.
Nolinsk Matryoshka
At a factory in Nolinsk in the Vyatsky region they started making matryoshki decorated with straw. This is the only place where matryoshki are made like this.
Sources:
DeLaine, Linda. “Matryoshka ˜ Soul of Russia.” Russian Life. 15 Mar. 2007. 05 Nov. 2009.
Kostomarova, Elena. "More Than Just a Pretty Face: The Secrets of the Russian Matryoshka," Russia Beyond the Headlines, August 2015.
"Russian Nesting Doll History in Details," Firebird Workshop Blog, March 2011.
"Где купить аутентичную (настоящую) русскую матрешку," Новая Сергиевская игрушка.
Images:
All images have been licensed through Adobe Stock (education license), used with a Creative Commons license from Wikimedia Commons, or licensed through Canva pro photo use permissions.