» Russian Matroyshka Information

Information about the Russian Matroyshka

Matryoshkas  (ma-TRYOSH-kas) are probably the most famous and recognizable folk art souvenirs of Russia.  When opened, a set of smaller similar dolls is revealed nested inside.  Every Matryoshka is handmade and is therefore unique.  These are usually made in apartments of local artists (and other workers) who pride themselves with great attention to fine detail and workmanship.  In 1899 the very first Russian Matryoshka was made in in the small village of Sergiev Posad just north of Moscow.  It is common for different villages across Russia to  produce Matryoshkas having their own distinctive style and features. 

Details can often be striking and intricate.  A set of nesting dolls takes a great deal of time to finish.  First of all, birch or linden trees are cut in the spring and dried for two years. Axes are used to make the initial rough pieces which are then turn-worked on a lathe.

Every piece passes through as many as fifteen turning operations before being ready to be fashioned into a finished doll.  No operations involve any measurement. All rely totally on the master’s intuition and skill.

The wooden dolls are cleaned, primed with a starchy glue, polished and are then ready for painting by the artist.  Many different steps are involved in the painting.  Each wooden piece is attached to a metal handle to enable the artist to hold the small pieces while adding details.  Although several sets may be worked on at the same time, a minimum of two full days are required to complete all the layers, colors and lacquering.  Finally, four to six coats of high quality lacquer are applied to give each piece a brilliant shine.

Sets range in size from large 19” masterpieces containing 40 or more inner dolls, to tiny creations which require a magnifying glass to paint or to view the smallest pieces. Some sets can truly be considered as works of art.  In fact, fine matryoshkas may be a very undervalued type of art, especially those which show detail and which are of unique one-of-a-kind design.