Russian Nesting Dolls

Designer	Sava Mamontov
Dates	1890

Description

Nesting dolls or Matryoshka as it is called in Russia. The first Russian doll was born in 1890 in in the Childrens Education workshop situated in Abramtsevo estate new Moscow. its form and scale have to be correctly worked out in order for it to function. This creative wooden toy was called Matryoshka because in old Russia this was a popular female name among peasants. Through time the production methods have obviously changed, different types of paints are now implemented however originally what was used was no more than ordinary goose feather and aniline dyes.

The biggest doll made in 1970 it was 1m high and contained 72 pieces. it was sent to be exibited in Japan and cost 3,000 rubles, in those times 5,000 would have bought you a popular Soviet car.

A Personal View

I believe this product is very iconic and very well crafted. Due to its intricate detail it is very pleasing to the eye and is said to have helped children count. I also believe that toys were better treated by children and were found more intresting than the youth would find them today, however it was as much produced for adults as kids. This extreamly creative object probably is the most popular Russian souvenir.

Context

An historical object/form which relates very closely to the Russian doll is Tutankhamun. He is said to be the oldest form of a nesting doll. Laying in the middle of ten layers of nesting shrines and coffins makes him a perfect example.

Links

{http://russian-crafts.com/nest/history.html} - Historyof Russian nesting doll

{http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/tut/mysteries/wrappings.html} - Oldest form of nesting doll

Author:

Gursoy Memish

Date:

March 2008