All About Nesting Dolls — Articles

The Meaning and Symbolism of the Matryoshka Nesting Dolls

Posted by Mary Stillwell on

One look at these colorful and beautifully painted wooden dolls, and you’ll suddenly feel a cosmic-like force enveloping your spiritual being. The Russian nesting dolls, which are better known as matryoshka nesting dolls in their country of origin, embody a young yet still a timeless depiction of a simple and fairytale-like early times. The traditional designs and patterns of the wooden dolls illustrate a scene that once existed in the 1800s. Each character seems to draw you into the earliest settings of a simple peasant life. Whereas people have limited understanding of the nesting dolls, what they symbolize, and why...

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The History of the Russian Nesting Doll

Posted by Mary Stillwell on

One mention of the word “matryoshka” and most people would automatically think “Russia”. It’s no surprise since for more than a hundred years now, Russia has been populating the rest of the world with their very own matryoshka nesting dolls. These dolls have been a symbol of the traditional Russian life, the importance of a mother in the family, and a great deal of respect given to her by a family with many children and their extended members under one roof. Although considered as one of the oldest traditions in the culture and history of Russia, many sources and historians...

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How to Paint Russian Nesting Dolls

Posted by Mary Stillwell on

Matryoshka dolls, more widely known as Russian nesting dolls, are easily considered Russia’s best-selling toys and souvenirs. The country has been making them for more than a century, with the first set made as early as the 1890’s. After earning a bronze medal from an international exhibit, exposure for the dolls quickly spread globally. Since then, there have been countless matryoshka dolls seen in stores all over the world.

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How Are Nesting Dolls Made?

Posted by Mary Stillwell on

Do you have your own set of matryoshka dolls? Was there a time wherein you just paused and gazed at the wooden masterpiece and wondered how was it made? Have you ever thought it was made from wood at all? How can one piece of wood be as smooth, glossy, and shaped into a hollow oval? How is wood even shaped into an oval? Won’t it break?

It is fascinating to believe that the Russian nesting dolls are made entirely from wood. Given their glossy appearance and smooth finish, one might even think that they’re shaped from glass or porcelain. The people who buy them might never understand the process that it goes through to carve and how the workers are able to produce such a masterpiece. Carefulness, precision, and mastery of the skill are needed to create just one set.

 

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The Origins of The Russian Nesting Doll

Posted by Mary Stillwell on

You’ve probably seen them in antique shops and in some toy stores. If you’re a local Russian, then these should be undoubtedly familiar to you. With their recognizable corpulent figure and brightly colored patterns and designs, the Russian nesting dolls serve as many things: home decorations, house-warming presents, novelty collectibles, gifts for mothers and newborns, and even children’s toys. A set of Russian nesting dolls are created in a way that consists of a big hollow doll, inside is a small doll, and inside of that doll is another smaller doll, and so on.

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What You Ought to Know about Russian Nesting Dolls

Posted by Mary Stillwell on

Russian nesting dolls, otherwise known as matryoshka dolls, are Russia’s most popular souvenirs. These round figurines are used as a toy for children. Players need to get all the statuettes on each model by opening them. Indeed, this game requires patience because the smallest figures are the most difficult to open.

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Step-by-Step Guide on How to Open Nesting Dolls

Posted by Mary Stillwell on

So, you bought a Russian nesting doll, but you found yourself asking how to open nesting dolls. We are here to solve your problem, as we will give you tips for opening these barrel-like figurines. But first, you need to know what this doll is.

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The Real Symbolic Meaning of Russian Nesting Tattoos and Dolls

Posted by Mary Stillwell on

When a person goes to Russia, he or she is likely to buy Matryoshka dolls. These figurines are part of the Eastern European culture. They are a set of wooden figures of different sizes placed inside of each other. Children and adults alike play these toys to kill time or teach their kids to distinguish sizes and colors and sort things.

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