Basic Introduction to Matrioshka Dolls
Matrioshka dolls (матрёшка or матрешка) are a traditional Russian wooden toy, typically consisting of several hollow dolls of the same design, one nested inside the other. There can be as many as ten or more dolls in a set, usually cylindrical in shape with a flat bottom to stand upright. The most common design is that of a girl dressed in Russian folk attire, called “Matryoshka,” and the dolls can also be named after this figure.
Product Features
Matrioshka dolls have a strong regional style and are a unique, handcrafted Russian craft. They are primarily made from linden wood, so there may be knots in some areas, but these do not detract from their appearance. The dolls can serve as decorative items, as well as containers for jewelry, odds and ends, sweets, etc., and they can also function as gift boxes.
Matrioshka dolls make for exquisite gifts imbued with familial affection, a testament to love, and expressions of longing, carrying an exotic flair.
History and Folklore
In Russian, “matrioshka” is said to derive from the name of an ordinary peasant woman. The traditional matrioshka doll resembles a Russian peasant woman, depicted as wearing a flowered headscarf, embroidered clothing, and an apron. The image of a woman with many children hidden within her symbolizes fertility, aligning with the “heroic mother” ideal during the Soviet era. On a deeper level, the matrioshka represents the people's love for their nation and family.
The matrioshka is the most distinctive traditional Russian handicraft, although its history spans only about a century. It was created at the end of the 19th century by an artist inspired by a similar Japanese folk toy.
The Russian word “matrioshka” (matryoshka) comes from the word “mother” (mati). The traditional image of the matrioshka is that of the mother in a peasant household—a sturdy, somewhat plump woman who has borne many children. The chubby wooden doll containing many smaller dolls reflects the Russian people's reverence for motherhood.
Manufacturing Process
The production process of matrioshka dolls is meticulous, and preparing the wood alone takes considerable time. Lime and birch trees are ideal woods for making matrioshka dolls. Typically, the trees are felled in early spring when they are full of sap, the bark is removed, leaving just a few rings to prevent the wood from cracking, and then the wood is left to air dry. If medium-sized dolls are to be made, the wood must dry for two years; if a set of 15 dolls is desired, each doll must be made very thin, requiring the wood to dry for five to six years. After hollowing out, branding patterns, and gilding, among other steps. Each doll goes through 15 processes, and no tools are used to measure their size; instead, the artists rely on their intuition and experience. Their unique handiwork makes each set of matrioshka dolls distinct and one-of-a-kind.
The crafting techniques for matrioshka dolls include two main methods: one involves using a hot branding iron to draw patterns on the bare wood and applying gold paint to certain areas. These dolls have a rustic style, and a gentle press with a finger can leave a mark on the smooth wood, releasing a faint scent of linden, and they resist fading and chipping. Another method involves painting the linden wood and then using traditional Russian gilding techniques to create designs, resulting in bright colors and decorative appeal.