Russian Nesting Dolls
The Story Behind the Matroshka, a Favorite Russian Souvenir
One of the most ubiquitous of Russian handicrafts, the matroshka has a history that may surprise you.
Almost everyone has seen a matryoshka before. A ubiquitous resident of bookshelves and knick-knack cases the world over, and a favorite souvenir of travelers to Russia, the nesting doll has become a Russian icon. But its history in Russia is shorter than you may think, and its origins are not, it turns out, Russian at all.
The traditional matroshka consists of a set of painted wooden figures that can be nested inside onee another, usually beginning with a painted female figure in traditional Russian costume. The name matryoshka is the diminutive form of the Russian given name Matryona, which is associated with peasant women. The dolls are typically rounded cylinders, tapered at the top, without limbs except those painted on the wood itself. The female figures grow more simplified the smaller they get, and usually end with a child, which does not open. The number of figures nested inside one another is usually at least five, with matroshkas of thirty or more not being uncommon.
Although the concept of nested objects, such as Faberge eggs, was not unfamiliar to Russian craftsmen, the matroshka is actually relatively new to Russia. The idea was imported in 1890 from Japan, where nesting dolls were and continue to be popular. The first maryoshkas were created by Vasiliy Zvezdochkin and painted by Sergei Maliutin at Sergiyev Posad in 1890. When presented at the World Exhibition in Paris, the toy received a bronze medal.
There are hundreds upon hundreds of modern variations of the matroshka now available in Russia, with common ones being devoted to different sports teams, Russian leaders (especially popular durinr Perestroika), American presidents, or Russian cartoon characters, just to name a few varieties. Matryoskas vary greatly in quality, ranging from the simplest factory-produced sets to elaborate (and costly) works of art.
One of the best places in Moscow to buy matroshkas is the Ismailovsky Bazaar, easily reached by the Moscow Metro from the center of the city. Take the Partizanskaya exit. Of course, this is hardly the only place to find them: from Stariy Arbat to Red Square to anonymous booths on Moscow side streets, the matroshka is everywhere in the Russian capitol, and easily purchased in most Russian cities.
When selecting a matroshka, a few things to check for are whether the dolls close properly, and whether they can easily be opened. Well-carved matroshkas should close snugly, but not be a struggle to open. If brand new, you should consider buying dolls that are somewhat tight and difficult to open: as the matroshka ages, and the wood shrinks, they fall apart easier and easier.
Happy shopping!
