RUSSIAN MATROYSHKA HISTORY:

The first Russian nesting doll was created in Sergiev-Posad near Moscow in 1890 at the Abramtsevo estate owned by Sava Mamontov, an industrialist and patron of the arts. Now, there are a number of villages that are known for their traditional designs. Most Russian nesting dolls are carved from birch wood, although some are made of lime tree or similar. Russian nesting doll sets must be made from the same chunk of wood to ensure every piece will have the same reaction to temperature and climate conditions. The smallest doll is carved first. When each Matryoshka has been carved out, it is covered with glue to prepare the surface, polished to create a smooth surface, and then painted. Every set R & L sells is hand-carved and hand-painted. Russian nesting dolls depict scenes from Russian fairy tales, churches and architecture of Russian cites and towns, and life scenes of the Russian people and arts. This art is much like the work of the Masters of the Canvas, but here the artist tells a story by nesting chapters of their story in paintings on wood.