A Matryoshka doll [mɐˈtrʲɵʂkə] , also known as a Russian nesting doll. Or a Russian doll, refers to a set of wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside another. The name Matryoshka goes from Russian female name Matriona. In Imperial Russia among peasants the name Matriona or Matriosha was a very popular female name. This name has a Latin root “mater”, that means “mother”. This name was associated with the image of a mother of a big peasant family, who was very healthy, had a lot of children and also had a portly figure. Subsequently, it became a symbolic name and was used especially to image brightly painted wooden figurines made in such a way that they could be taken apart to reveal smaller dolls (kids) fitting inside one another. Dolls became one of the main symbols of Russia and nowadays you may find them in all souvenir shops. Very interesting thing: the whole idea of such nesting dolls belonged to Japanese, not Russians! Once at a tradition Saturday meeting in a house of Savva Mamontov (one of the first people, who patronized artists who were possessed by idea of the creation of a new Russian style) somebody brought a funny Japanese figurine of a good-nature bold head old man Fukuruma. The doll consisted of some other figurines nestled one another. It had 7 figurines. That was the first known nesting doll. Russian craftsmen and artists fell in love with this doll and decided to create this kind of a doll but with Russian accent. One of the artists was intrigued by Fukuruma doll and decided to make something similar but with Russian peculiarity. That doll should have had a Russian spirit and represent specific Russian cultural traditions. That doll was made of a wooden form of soft linden wood and represented typical Russian woman with children. There were seven kids sitting one inside another and the biggest doll-mother was holding a rooster. Surface of the doll was covered with a thin layer of wax. Nowadays you may find such dolls in souvenir shops. To be honest, this doll is my favorite, it has a real Russian spirit, it is very simple, not shining, not glittering, not very detailed, but hmmm, how to say, personable and beautiful in its simplicity I suppose. It shows a real working class woman, mother and may be that is why it feels so close. Have a look, what do you think? The principle of making dolls remains unchanged til present times. Matryoshka dolls are often designed to follow a particular theme; for instance, peasant girls in traditional dress. Originally, themes were often drawn from tradition or fairy tale characters, in keeping with the craft tradition—but since the 20th century, they have embraced a larger range. Nowadays you may find nesting dolls of politicians, even Putin and Obama (!), football (soccer) players, singers, animals and so on. However the most frequently bought matreshkas are classical ones, portraying beautiful young girls and ladies. Recently i saw a very interesting article about Chinese production of these dolls. Next to the Harbin (city in northern China, next to the border with Russia) there is a small town, where more then 1/3 of the population work at factories producing Russian nesting dolls. In one year they produce 15 million items and get an income of more then 300 million renmingbi ($1=rmb6). They are sold mostly to France, Germany and Russia. When buying a nesting doll not in an official shop but somewhere at the street, 100% you are buying a Chinese one. If you are looking for a good souvenir, look for a colorful detailed matryoshka with a signature of the master at the bottom of the biggest doll.
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AuthorHi there! My name is Mila, I have been working as a local guide for six years and I've decided to share with you essential information about St. Petersburg, life in Russia and Russian culture. I hope you will enjoy! Archives
January 2018
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