Matryoshka Dolls – Matryoshka of 3 and 4 dolls, made and painted by hand in Russia

History of the beauty of matryoshka dolls

The Semenovskaya matryoshka dolls as a product of Russian art appeared in Russia in the village of Semenov at the beginning of the twentieth century. This doll began to be made by Russian craftsmen who had rich traditions of work dating back to the 18th century.

So, back then in the village of Semenovo, in the artel named after M.I. Kalinin, from the late 30s they mastered the production of nesting dolls. They painted them brightly and cheerfully. However, painting involves two, three, or at most four colors.

Each artist solved the problem of artistic design of the image of the nesting doll in her own way. From start to finish, only two people were involved in the production of the nesting doll: the turner and the artist.

The Semenovskaya nesting doll is painted with aniline paints; a significant part of the apron is unpainted wood. The painting of the apron is original and unique. Artists mainly use three colors – red, blue, yellow.

In the production of Russian nesting dolls in the city of Semenov, only environmentally friendly, certified materials are used: wood (linden, birch), gouache, aniline, a special varnish that is safe for health, giving Russian nesting dolls a characteristic, unique shine, brightness and unique appearance.

Connection of traditional folk crafts of Japan and Russia

The matryoshka doll has long become a national symbol of Russia. Like any other symbol, it has its own mysteries and legends. Her very birth is either a true story or a legend. One thing is not in dispute now: this is that our Russian beauty has a lot in common with the Japanese wooden toy.
Perhaps nowhere are various painted wooden toys as widespread as in Japan and Russia. Mutual enrichment, respect for the traditions of both countries, fairly close spirituality and similarity in wood processing techniques allow us to talk about the Japanese roots of the Russian nesting doll.
We neither confirm nor deny the story of the birth of Matryoshka. We just want to say once again that Matryoshka is a mystery, a legend, the embodiment of folk wisdom, and an image of family and motherhood. And the story of her life requires respect, study and teaches respect for our traditions.

We also invite you to look at other red painted nesting russian dolls.