Russian Nesting Dolls (Matryoshki)

Matryoshki, also known as Russian nesting dolls or Babushka dolls, are sets of dolls which decrease in size and are placed into one another. The Russian name for them, Matryoshka, is believed to have been derived from the Russian female name Matryona, a popular name among the peasants of the 19th Century. Another explanation for the name is based on the Latin root word mater, which in Russian and Latin means mother, associating the dolls with the mother image/idea.

The first set of Matryoshkas date from 1890, and are believed to be inspired by Japanese souvenir dolls. Sergei Maliutin was a folk crafts painter in the Abramtsevo estate of Savva Mamontov a Russian industrialist and patron of the arts. Maliutin had designed and painted the first set which had been formed and carved by Vasiliy Zvezdochkin. Maliutin's design was inspired by a Japanese set of wooden dolls representing the Seven Gods of Fortune. Maluitin's set of dolls consisted of eight dolls.

In 1900 the dolls were presented at the World Exhibition in Paris by Momontov's wife, and they earned a bronze medal. After that, the dolls were being made in all parts of Russia.

The shape of the dolls is mostly cylindrical, rounded at the top for the head and tapered towards the bottom, relating back to the images of sturdy healthy village women. The dolls have no feet, only hands which are painted on. The first outer layer doll is traditionally a woman, followed by other members of the family, with the baby being the last and smallest doll in the set.

Today, the dolls vary in shape, size and design. Traditionally Matryoshka dolls were designed to follow a particular theme, mostly peasant girls in traditional dress, but as time went on, new designs were being created. Today the Matryoshka designs and themes are endless. With popular culture, design ideas for Matryoshka dolls have vastly expanded, including, among many, world leaders, celebrities, movie themes, etc.


Photo of The first original matryoshka
Date Photo: 2000, Doll: 1892
Source Sergiev Posad Museum of Toys, Russia