Matryoshka dolls
A Matryoshka doll is a set of dolls of decreasing size placed one inside the other; they are typically Russian, made of wood and have been around from the early 1900s. The shape is mostly cylindrical, rounded at the top for the head and tapered towards the bottom (the dolls have no hands, unless they are painted). Traditionally the outer layer is a woman, that contains other figures that may be of both genders, usually ending in a baby that does not open.
I’m not sure they were meant to be toys, but they have proved to be extremely popular with both my children. They love to play with them, opening them in particular…. maybe it’s the renewed surprise of finding another one inside? Between us and my parents we have at least three sets of Matryoshka. One is a set with peasant girls in traditional dress, another one is a set of Santa Clauses and the third is one that represents the most important Russian presidents starting from Gorbachev and going back until Lenin.
My first son liked this one in particular, and when he was about 2 he was so obsessed with it that he had learned the names of all the presidents. It was pretty hilarious to hear an Italian toddler boy saying the names of Khrushchev, Brezhnev, Lenin and Stalin!
-Michela
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You are right. We have a set of Matryoshka dolls with Winnie the Pooh shapes. The baby is a little honey pot! My daughter can play with it for hours. And it is such an easy toy to take with you when you are going somewhere as it will always fit in your bag.
He’ll be a diplomatic, so!
Love the idea of your son being so politically aware!
I love Matryoshka dolls! We don’t have any, but I saw the Russioan presidents on a market a while ago. I should have gotten it! For my kids to play with, and for me to learn the names of the presidents
I love them too! We received one as a gift for my daughter from friends in the Ukraine. She plays with it often and I am impressed by her patience…she doesn’t do nearly as well with regular puzzles. I have fond memories too of playing with my older cousins dolls. There are some really beautiful ones out there…could be a dangerous addiction.
There is actually a whole shop here in Paris, off place des Vosges that specializes in these dolls. They have so many different ones…
my sonhas also had fun playing with these nesting dolls, circus inspired and santa. Though, I am looking for a new set. so funny to think of your son saying the names of the Russian presidents!
there is a designer named Trisha Krauss who will customize a set of nesting dolls based on your family- amazing, but quite expensive!!
I have been seeing these Matryoshka dolls everywhere lately! They must be back ‘en vogue’.
Emilie — I want to visit that shop you mentioned. My kids don’t have any, and I’m sure they would love one!
xx
I got my 2 1/2 year old the dolls for Christmas and she loves them! I found the traditional lady at Petit Chou (London, St Christoper’s Place — great handcrafted toys from around the world) but would love to get my hands on the Russian presidents.
I can’t stop thinking about how cool the Russian president Matryoshhka dolls are…I’m on the hunt to find them!
Here in London there is a shop on Portobello Road which sells a great selection as well.
I had a Matryoshhka doll forgotten for years on the top of the bookshelf in my room at my mom’s house. After reading your blog I thought, why not?
So I brushed off the dust from the doll and gave it to my 18 month’s girl… it was a great success!!!
Thank you!
Can anyone recommend an online retailer?
My Daughter LOVES these dolls and was just enamored for an entire HOUR at the Museum of Natural History with them. I’d love to find a set.
Thanks!