Nesting Dolls (Matryoshka) - Traditional - 15 doll sets - Folk Art
Russian Gifts

'Little Humpbacked Horse' $210.43 Size: a approx. 9.6' Metric: a 24 cm Consists of: a 15 pieces Finish: a glossy (lacquer) Availability: a ships within 10-15 business days Origin: a Russian Federation a As all of our nesting dolls, this one is handcrafted in the heart Russia. It is handturned from linden wood and then handpainted by a professional nesting doll artist. It is a typical nesting doll, and each smaller piece of the set fits into the next larger one. Each doll is coated with 5-7 layers of crystal clear lacquer, and the largest one is signed by artist. HUMPBACKED LITTLE PONY by Yershov Once upon a time, in a land far away, Ivan was returning home with three horses that he had just purchased. Two of the horses were magnificent stallions, strong and fast. But the third horse was crippled and hunchbacked. The next day Ivan woke up and went outside to care for his new horses, but when he opened the stable doors he discovered that his two stallions had been stolen. Only the Little Humpbacked Horse remained. Soon however, the little horse began to display amazing magical powers. He could fly and change his appearance. Ivan grew to admire and love his Little Humpbacked Horse greatly. The little horse enjoyed fame all throughout the kingdom as travelers came from miles around to see him. The Little Humpbacked Horse became so famous that even the old Tsar was interested in seeing him. As soon as the Tsar saw what incredible powers that the magic horse had he ordered Ivan to have the horse employed in the Tsar's service. The Tsar became increasingly greedy with his demands on the little horse. The animal was enlisted by the Tsar to catch the elusive Fire Bird, and to fly to the Palace of the Moon. Then the Tsar ordered that the magic horse should find the beautiful Maiden Queen and bring her to the Tsar to become his wife. The Little Humpbacked Horse was of course successful in finding the Maiden Queen, but the beautiful girl was not at all pleased with the advances of the old and greedy Tsar. She was actually more interested in Ivan, who had already fallen in love with her. To win her over, the Maiden Queen demanded that the Tsar would have to perform a special task to turn himself into a desirable young man. He would have to first jump into a cauldron of cold water, then into one of boiling water, and last into one of boiling milk. The Tsar first ordered Ivan to test the system. So Ivan, protected by his faithful horse, plunged into each cauldron and emerged from the third a vibrant and handsome man. Having seen Ivan's success the Tsar quickly undressed and jumped into the cold water. Then he jumped into the second cauldron in which he was promptly boiled alive. Soon after the Tsar's death Ivan and the Maiden Queen were married, and they lived with their Little Humpbacked Horse happily ever after.

'Russian Decor' (set 1) $95.89 Size: a approx. 6.8' Metric: a 17 cm Consists of: a 15 pieces Finish: a glossy (lacquer) Availability: a ships within 7-10 business days Origin: a Russian Federation Product Details a As all of our nesting dolls, this one is handcrafted in the heart Russia. It is handturned from linden wood and then handpainted by a professional nesting doll artist. It is a typical nesting doll, and each smaller piece of the set fits into the next larger one. Each doll is coated with 3-5 layers of crystal clear lacquer. ZHOSTOVO PAINTING Zhostovo painting is one of the traditional types of Russian decorative work developed in the village of Zhostovo of Mytishi region, Moscow oblast. It appeared at the beginning of 19th century under the influence of Ural flower painting on metal. Zhostovo painting is essentially drawing on metal trays preliminarily covered by several layers of thick putty and oil varnish (normally, of black color). The painting itself is accomplished in several consequent stages; soft brush and oil-colors (richly mixed with linseed-oil) create an impression of an energetic and elastic touch. Stylistic development of Zhostovo painting is closely related to Russian porcelain and enamel painting of Moscow region's plants and factories, as well as with the flower motifs of printed Ivanovo cottons and P.V. Lukutin miniature. The main motif of Zhostovo painting - a flower bouquet - is simple and laconic in its composition: larger garden flowers are combined with smaller wild flowers; the actual shape of a flower is conveyed through a three-dimensional painting technique; and all this is being brought together by a decorative richness of multi-color solution closely related to the traditional Russian brush-painting on chests and distaffs. Tray edges are finished with a golden ornamental pattern (also known as 'uborka'). The completed painting is covered by three layers of light varnish, being further polished to mirror luster.

'Russian Decor' (set 2) $95.89 Size: a approx. 6.8' Metric: a 17 cm Consists of: a 15 pieces Finish: a glossy (lacquer) Availability: a ships within 7-10 business days Origin: a Russian Federation Product Details a As all of our nesting dolls, this one is handcrafted in the heart Russia. It is handturned from linden wood and then handpainted by a professional nesting doll artist. It is a typical nesting doll, and each smaller piece of the set fits into the next larger one. Each doll is coated with 3-5 layers of crystal clear lacquer. GZHEL Gzhel porcelain decorated with fancy blue painting has acquired wide popularity in the whole wide world. Its value consists in its uniqueness and decorativeness. Gzhel ware is decorated with flowers, leaves, bunches and garlands of flowers. They are painted with the only colour - blue cobalt, which is sometimes laid wide and rich dab and other times in hardly noticeable touch of the brush. Touches of different intensity create a rich, bright and very impressive picture. The history of Gzhel porcelain began in the seventeeth century. The pocelain took the name 'Gzhel' after the village Gzhel which is situated in Moscow gerion. The first documentary evidence about the village dates back to the 1339 ecclesiastical charter of the Russian tzar Ivan Kalita. There, at the distance of 60 km from Moscow people had been long engaged in pottery. Archaeological discoveries confirm the existence of pottery on Gzhel territory since the beginning of the fourteenth century. Gzhel crafters have always made not only table-ware, but also small genre sculpture. These works depicted animals and people in action. From time to time entire scenes of rural or urban life were depicted in such sculptures. For example: traditional tea-drinking, beauties walking or sitting at work, hens, roosters, birds and so on. All works have a uniting feature - hand-made fancy blue painting on white background. They are all truly hand-made! The artist paints every cup or vase with a brush. That is why there are no two similar works, each one being really unique and keeping the style of its creator. Gzhel craftsmen are true artists that join talent and centuries-old experience of their predecessors. However, hand-made works are labour-intensive. They always come in small numbers, which often cannot meet the demand. Even in Russia not many people have Gzhel ware; and collectors are very proud of their collections. The original ware has the hallmark 'Gzhel' which confirms its authenticity and quality. All Gzhel works are created in plaster forms being cast from liquid porcelain mass. After the first burning the form is painted by cobalt. Usually the background stays white. Then painting is covered by glaze. Glaze fuses and makes the surface of the work glassy, giving cobalt its blue colour. Ornaments of gzhel items are normally based on plants and flowers (roses are the most widely distributed kinds of gzhel patterns). Modern Gzhel art is charming, cheerful and original. It soaks up the beauty of Russian nature and reserved, strong and expressive spirit of Russian people. Today Gzhel is going through its golden age. There appear magnificent works with their mysterious dark blue shades floating through the light field. Fabulous patterns, garlands, free touches coupled with subtle drawings - all of this makes Gzhel ware original, decorative and attractive.

'Russian Decor' (set 3) $95.89 Size: a approx. 6.8' Metric: a 17 cm Consists of: a 15 pieces Finish: a glossy (lacquer) Availability: a ships within 7-10 business days Origin: a Russian Federation Product Details a As all of our nesting dolls, this one is handcrafted in the heart Russia. It is handturned from linden wood and then handpainted by a professional nesting doll artist. It is a typical nesting doll, and each smaller piece of the set fits into the next larger one. Each doll is coated with 3-5 layers of crystal clear lacquer. ZHOSTOVO PAINTING Zhostovo painting is one of the traditional types of Russian decorative work developed in the village of Zhostovo of Mytishi region, Moscow oblast. It appeared at the beginning of 19th century under the influence of Ural flower painting on metal. Zhostovo painting is essentially drawing on metal trays preliminarily covered by several layers of thick putty and oil varnish (normally, of black color). The painting itself is accomplished in several consequent stages; soft brush and oil-colors (richly mixed with linseed-oil) create an impression of an energetic and elastic touch. Stylistic development of Zhostovo painting is closely related to Russian porcelain and enamel painting of Moscow region's plants and factories, as well as with the flower motifs of printed Ivanovo cottons and P.V. Lukutin miniature. The main motif of Zhostovo painting - a flower bouquet - is simple and laconic in its composition: larger garden flowers are combined with smaller wild flowers; the actual shape of a flower is conveyed through a three-dimensional painting technique; and all this is being brought together by a decorative richness of multi-color solution closely related to the traditional Russian brush-painting on chests and distaffs. Tray edges are finished with a golden ornamental pattern (also known as 'uborka'). The completed painting is covered by three layers of light varnish, being further polished to mirror luster.

'Russian Winter Scenes' $188.14 Size: approx. 12' Metric: 30 cm Consists of: 15 pieces Finish: glossy (lacquer) Availability: ships within 7-12 business days  This is a truly magnificent 15 piece nesting doll - a work of art! It was handturned from linden wood and then handpainted by a professional nesting doll artist in the old City of Vladimir. It is a typical nesting doll, and each smaller piece of the set fits into the next larger one. Each doll is coated with 5-7 layers of crystal clear lacquer, displaying beautiful scenes of traditional Russian winter. The tallest doll is signed by the artist. RUSSIAN CLIMATE & VISITING RUSSIA Most of Russia has a continental climate ù the winters are bone chilling and the summers can be boiling. The swings are most extreme in southern and central Siberia, but even in Moscow temperatures can range from -30 to 30 Celsius (-20 to 100 Fahrenheit). The Black Sea coast and its resort communities tend to have the least swing. Late spring, early summer and the fall are good times to visit. During the hot summer months of July and August cities shut down as locals head to the countryside to live off the land at their dachas. In the beginning of September the ballets and the operas start back up and the cities come to life again. (The performing arts season runs from about September to May, although there are occasional shows in the summer, especially during St. Petersburg's White Nights Festival in June.) The first real cold hits Moscow and St. Petersburg sometime in November and there's usually snow on the ground from December through April. If you're prepared for the cold, Russia is often at its most beautiful under a blanket of snow. Winter is also the peak of the theater season and generally has fewer tourists. Steer clear of the mud and slush that covers the country during the spring thaw (April to May) and late fall. ® Copyright 'The MoscowTimes'

'Semenov' 15 pc Matryoshka $169.67 - reduced price $115.95 Size: approx. 10.8' Metric: 27 cm Consists of: 15 pieces Finish: glossy (lacquer) Availability: ships within 5-10 business days  Product Details As all of our nesting dolls, this one is handcrafted in the heart Russia. It is handturned from linden wood and then handpainted by a professional nesting doll artist in the city of Semenov, Russia.

'Semenov' 15 pc Matryoshka (red) $178.89 - reduced price $115.95 Size: approx. 11.2' Metric: 28 cm Consists of: 15 pieces Finish: glossy (lacquer) Availability: ships within 5-10 business days  Product Details As all of our nesting dolls, this one is handcrafted in the heart Russia. It is handturned from linden wood and then handpainted by a professional nesting doll artist in the city of Semenov, Russia.

'Snow Queen' Fairy Tale $225.46 Size: a approx. 9.6' Metric: a 24 cm Consists of: a 15 pieces Finish: a glossy (lacquer) Availability: a ships within 10-15 business days Origin: a Russian Federation a As all of our nesting dolls, this one is handcrafted in the heart Russia. It is handturned from linden wood and then handpainted by a professional nesting doll artist. It is a typical nesting doll, and each smaller piece of the set fits into the next larger one. Each doll is coated with 5-7 layers of crystal clear lacquer, and the largest one is signed by artist. SNOW QUEEN by G.H. Anderson Once upon a time, there lived a wicked dwarf. He invented a magic mirror in which everything kind and beautiful diminished and everything bad and disgusting increased. Wonderful lawns, reflected in it, looked like boiled spinach and the kindest people looked like monsters. The wicked dwarf and his pupils went round the world and soon all people reflected in it. After all they wished to mock at angels and rose to the sky, but they couldn't realize their idea as the mirror slipped through their hands and broke to pieces. Millions and billions of these pieces brought misfortune to people. They scattered in the air and some of them fell into the eyes of people. A man with such a piece in his eye noticed in everything only its bad sides, because the fragment possessed the properties of the magic mirror. Some of the pieces fell into the hearts of people and it was the worst because their hearts turned into pieces of ice. We will soon hear about it! * * * In a big town there lived two poor children - Kay and Gerda. They weren't related but loved each other like brother and sister. Their parents lived in the adjoining attics and they allowed children to visit each other crossing the roof. The children liked to play on the roof and sit on the bench under the wonderful bushes of roses that grew in two big boxes. One winter evening the children looked through the window and admired snowflakes. - These snowflakes look like white bees! - said Gerda's grandmother. - Do they have a queen? - asked the boy, he knew that real bees always have a queen. - Yes, they do. Snowflakes always whirl around her. She flies over the ground on the black cloud and peeps in windows. At these words Kay really saw in the window a face of a wonderful woman. She was wrapped up in the white tulle that seemed to be woven of snowflakes and her eyes were shining like bright stars. The boy was frightened by it and ran off the window. Soon the spring came and the children could again sit in their little garden on the roof among wonderful roses growing in the big boxes. Once, when they were reading an interesting book, Kay suddenly exclaimed: 'Ah! Something fell into my eye and I have a stitch in my heart'. Two pieces of the dwarf's mirror had fallen into the boy's eyes and since that time he became wicked. He offended Gerda and mimicked her grandmother. The fragments of the dwarf's mirror changed his character and his heart turned into a piece of ice. One winter day Kay went to sledge. In the square children fastened their small sledges to big peasants' sledges and drove at high speed. Kay also fastened his small sledges to someone's sledges. The sledges rushed along the streets and left the town. The boy was very frightened, he cried but nobody heard him. Soon Kay saw that wonderful Snow Queen was sitting in the sledges. She took him in her hands and kissed him. After this kiss Kay stopped fearing Snow Queen and he forgot his parents, Gerda and her grandmother. Snow Queen carried Kay to her North Icy Kingdom. * * * People said that Kay died but little girl Gerda didn't believe it and she decided to find him. She sat in a boat and went down stream. Soon she reached the shoe and saw a nice house with many-colored windows standing in a big cherry orchard. In this house lived an old woman who could practice witchcraft. The old woman liked Gerda very much and decided to leave the girl in her house. She enchanted her and Gerda forgot everything about her parents, grandmother and Kay. The girl lived happily with the old woman till she saw by chance a bush of wonderful roses in the garden and remembered her sworn brother Kay. She left the old woman and her beautiful house overgrown with flowers. * * * Soon the autumn came and it had got colder. Despite cold and rainy weather Gerda dressed in light dress and barefooted went on looking for Kay. Soon she met a big raven and told him about her life and asked if it had seen Kay or heard something about him. The Raven said that it knew where Kay was. The Princess of the nearest kingdom married him and he lived in her palace. Gerda was very happy to hear this news and asked the Raven to lead her in the palace. The Raven was very sorry for a poor little girl who loved her sworn brother Kay so much and agreed. So, Gerda, the Raven and his bride stole in the palace and soon they found themselves in a Princess's bedroom. Gerda couldn't wait for meeting with Kay and she shouted when she saw the back of his head. Prince turned his head but, unfortunately, he wasn't Kay. Gerda became to cry bitterly and told Prince and Princess her sad story. The story of the little, brave girl touched them very much and they gave her warm clothes and a gold carriage harnessed with beautiful horses. So, Gerda decided to went on looking for Kay though she could stay in the palace and live there happily. * * * When Gerda was driving through the forest robbers saw gold carriage and attacked it. The robbers wanted to kill Gerda, but gang-leader's daughter saved her. She said: 'I will play with her and if I am angry with her you may kill her'. Little Robber was a girl of Gerda's age with big black and sad eyes. - Are you a Princess - she asked Gerda. - No, - answered Gerda and told Little Robber her story. Little Robber looked at Gerda seriously and said: 'Come with me. I will show you my pets'. She led Gerda to the robber's castle and showed the girl her room. The room was full of animals. There were hares, pigeons, foxes and even a reindeer. Gerda asked the animals if the had heard something about Kay. Forest pigeons answered: 'We saw Kay! He was sitting in the sledges of Snow Queen. They were driving over the forest when we were sitting in the nest. Snow Queen breathed at us and all nestlings, except us, died. Snow Queen carried Kay to her Icy Kingdom situated in Lapland. - Do you know where Lapland is situated? - asked Little Robber the reindeer. - Yes, know. I was born there. It is a wonderful country where eternal snow and icy valleys shine like the stars! At these words little robber unfastened the reindeer and said to it: 'Carry Gerda to Snow Queen's palace in Lapland! If you do it I will set you free!'. The reindeer accepted her offer with joy and Gerda went to distant and cold Lapland to look for her sworn brother Kay. * * * The reindeer stopped near a wretched house where lived Laplander. She fed Gerda and the reindeer and said: 'Lapland is far away from here! Go to my friend Finish woman and she will tell you how you could overpower Snow Queen'. Laplander gave the girl a fish with something written on it and Gerda went to Finland. When they reached the place, Finish woman fed Gerda and the reindeer. After the supper the reindeer said: 'You are a wise woman. You can tie together four winds with a thread. Can you give Gerda strength to win Snow Queen?'. Finish woman opened a big magic book, read it and answered: 'Kay really is in the Snow Queen's Kingdom. He is happy and doesn't want to leave it. The reason of it is the fragments of the dwarf's mirror in his eye and heart. I can't make Gerda stronger than she is. Look at her! She went all over the world barefooted. She wasn't afraid of cold and wind. She is very strong. People and animals serve her. Her strength is in her kind, innocent child's heart and in her love for Kay. Carry Gerda to the Snow Queen's garden and leave her near the bush covered with red berries and come back!'. The reindeer carried the girl in the Snow Queen's garden, left her near the bush covered with red berries, kissed her and went away in tears. The girl went through the snowstorm to the Snow Queen's Palace. She was very tired and cold when she reached the palace. Gerda entered it and saw Kay playing with small pieces of ice. He was blue from the cold and didn't recognize her. The girl threw herself on Kays neck and began to cry. Her tears melted the piece of ice in the Kay's heart and he also broke into tears. He cried so hard that the fragment of the dwarf's mirror fell out of his eye. Kay and Gerda were so happy that they cried and laughed with joy. Evil spell disappeared and Kay was saved owing to sincere love of his brave and devoted sworn sister Gerda.

'Tsar Saltan' Fairy Tale $181.94 - reduced price $109.95 Size: approx. 6.8' Metric: 17 cm Consists of: 15 pieces Finish: glossy (lacquer) Availability: ships within 5-8 business days  As all of our nesting dolls, this one is handcrafted in the heart Russia. It is handturned from linden wood and then handpainted by a professional nesting doll artist. It is a typical nesting doll, and each smaller piece of the set fits into the next larger one. Each doll is coated with 5-7 layers of crystal clear lacquer, and the largest one is signed by artist. 'TSAR SALTAN' (Russian Fairy-Tale) Once upon a time in a far away land Tsar Saltan sat listening to the future plans of three sisters. One of these sisters said that she wanted to give birth to a great warrior, and employ the other two sisters in her charge. Tsar Saltan decided to marry this sister, making the other two sisters become very jealous. These two women decided to do everything they could to make the married sister's life unhappy Tsar Saltan soon went away to war. During his absence his queen gave birth to a healthy baby boy named Gvidon. It looked as if her dream of the future were beginning to be fulfilled, but her evil sisters wrote to the Tsar and convinced him that his son was an evil monster. Believing their ridiculous story, the Tsar then ordered that his wife and son be sealed in a barrel and cast into the sea. The barrel drifted for many years, finally washing ashore after Prince Gvidon had already grown into a man. On this shore Prince Gvidon performed his first great task; he rescued a swan being attacked by an evil magician. Having been saved, the swan then turned into an enchanting princess who promised to help Gvidon find his father. The Prince then became ruler of the land that he had washed ashore upon, and his kingdom became famous throughout the world. One day a merchant ship en route to Tsar Saltan's country passed through Prince Gvidon's magnificent land. On arrival to Tsar Saltan's country the merchant told the Tsar about his son's great land. Tsar Saltan made plans to travel there, but the evil sisters talked him out of it. The next time the merchant passed through the kingdom of Prince Gvidon he saw the Magic Squirrel which lived in a crystal cage that Prince Gvidon had built for it. Again the merchant arrived home to tell Tsar Saltan of his son's magical land, but again the evil sisters interfered. They told the Tsar that he should instead go to the land where one can see 33 warriors and Chernomor rise from the ocean. The Princess Swan explained to Prince Gvidon that these warriors were her brothers, so when the merchant passed through the land a third time this feat was performed for him. Having heard this story the wicked sisters dissuaded the Tsar once more from traveling to his son by telling him that it would be more worth his while to find the Magic Princess with the Sea Star above her head. Prince Gvidon was sad when he discovered once more that his father would not come to see him. Little did he know that the Swan Princess and the Magic Princess were one in the same! The merchant then returned home a fourth time to inform the Tsar that his son had married the Magic Princess. The Tsar then immediately set sail for Gvidon's kingdom where the family was reunited. They lived there happily ever after.

'Tsar Saltan' Fairy Tale (set 1) $210.43 Size: a approx. 6.8' Metric: a 17 cm Consists of: a 15 pieces Finish: a glossy (lacquer) Availability: a ships within 10-15 business days Origin: a Russian Federation a As all of our nesting dolls, this one is handcrafted in the heart Russia. It is handturned from linden wood and then handpainted by a professional nesting doll artist. It is a typical nesting doll, and each smaller piece of the set fits into the next larger one. Each doll is coated with 5-7 layers of crystal clear lacquer, and the largest one is signed by artist.

'Tsar Saltan' Fairy Tale (set 2) $225.46 Size: a approx. 6.8' Metric: a 17 cm Consists of: a 15 pieces Finish: a glossy (lacquer) Availability: a ships within 10-15 business days Origin: a Russian Federation a As all of our nesting dolls, this one is handcrafted in the heart Russia. It is handturned from linden wood and then handpainted by a professional nesting doll artist. It is a typical nesting doll, and each smaller piece of the set fits into the next larger one. Each doll is coated with 5-7 layers of crystal clear lacquer, and the largest one is signed by artist.

'Tsar Saltan' Fairy Tale (set 3) $210.43 Size: a approx. 6.8' Metric: a 17 cm Consists of: a 15 pieces Finish: a glossy (lacquer) Availability: a ships within 10-15 business days Origin: a Russian Federation a As all of our nesting dolls, this one is handcrafted in the heart Russia. It is handturned from linden wood and then handpainted by a professional nesting doll artist. It is a typical nesting doll, and each smaller piece of the set fits into the next larger one. Each doll is coated with 5-7 layers of crystal clear lacquer, and the largest one is signed by artist.

'Winter Fun' $82.66 Size: approx. 4.8-5.6'' Metric: 12.5-14 cm Consists of: 15 pieces Finish: matte Availability: ships within 7-10 business days  Product Details As all of our nesting dolls, this one is handcrafted in the heart Russia. It is handturned from linden wood and then handpainted by a professional nesting doll artist. It is a typical nesting doll, and each smaller piece of the set fits into the next larger one. The whole set has a gentle matte finish. RUSSIAN CLIMATE & VISITING RUSSIA Most of Russia has a continental climate  the winters are bone chilling and the summers can be boiling. The swings are most extreme in southern and central Siberia, but even in Moscow temperatures can range from -30 to 30 Celsius (-20 to 100 Fahrenheit). The Black Sea coast and its resort communities tend to have the least swing. Late spring, early summer and the fall are good times to visit. During the hot summer months of July and August cities shut down as locals head to the countryside to live off the land at their dachas. In the beginning of September the ballets and the operas start back up and the cities come to life again. (The performing arts season runs from about September to May, although there are occasional shows in the summer, especially during St. Petersburg's White Nights Festival in June.) The first real cold hits Moscow and St. Petersburg sometime in November and there's usually snow on the ground from December through April. If you're prepared for the cold, Russia is often at its most beautiful under a blanket of snow. Winter is also the peak of the theater season and generally has fewer tourists. Steer clear of the mud and slush that covers the country during the spring thaw (April to May) and late fall.  Copyright ''The MoscowTimes''

'Winter Stories' $300.62 Size: approx. 9.6'' Metric: 24 cm Consists of: 15 pieces Finish: glossy (lacquer) Availability: ships within 10-15 business days  As all of our nesting dolls, this one is handcrafted in the heart Russia. It is handturned from linden wood and then handpainted by a professional nesting doll artist. It is a typical nesting doll, and each smaller piece of the set fits into the next larger one. Each doll is coated with 5-7 layers of crystal clear lacquer, and the largest one is signed by artist.

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