The most popular brands for Russian Dolls Includes BestPysanky, Alkota, Great Russian Gifts, Authentic Models, Schylling, Marx, MagiDeal among many others.
BestPysanky creates authentic and traditional European Christmas and Easter decorations. Beautiful hand-painted eggs, tree hangers, etc., would adorn your tree and add a festive charm to the entire mood. BestPysanky also retails religious decor and items like crosses, angel figurines and rosary boxes. With its decor at your home, the true Christmas spirit through its intricately detailed items. BestPysanky is based in the US and is appreciated for its great customer service.
Alkota Handmade, genuine Russian goods are known as Russian treasures. They offer distinctive handmade products in museum-caliber designs. Santa, nutcrackers, angels, nativities, nested dolls, Russian snow maidens, and odd carvings are just a few of the different varieties of goods that are offered. Like the Coat of Arms, all of the items are based on Russian historical, cultural, artistic, and spiritual traditions that date back hundreds of years to the Middle Ages.
Buy real nesting dolls, authentic Russian gifts, lacquer boxes, handmade amber jewelry and more. Located in the US.
Serving the world with the most elegant designs in interior decor for more than fifty years, Authentic Models blends antique furniture with contemporary designs. Ensuring characteristic and high-quality products for the buyers, the company aspires to achieve perfection with meticulous cratsmanship and attention to detail. Providing various options like royal and antique-looking furniture, crafty showpieces, and classic decor items, the brand has built a name in the interior decor industry. Authentic Models do not wish to change the way your home looks but to enhance its beauty in a never-seen-before way.
Schylling was established over 40 years ago, and since then, they have been working to create timeless toys for kids. The company is dedicated to its cause. Timeless toys made with the innovation of the present and the idea of the past bring a nostalgic value to many customers. The iconic tin toys have been a statement piece for the company and its history. The delightful appeal of playing with toys never goes away, and Schylling holds on to that sentiment in their products.
The playset figures from Marx's Wild West and Pirates bring the American Old West to not only life but also pirate adventure on the open seas. A Marx playset allows you to create anything you can think of for hours of enjoyment, whether cowboys and Indians or pirates and their hostages. With a distinctive boxed toy line, it was one of the most popular toy businesses of its day. In the decades between World Wars I and II, Marx developed toys.
MagiDeal is a well-known online retailer of toys, consumer electronics, automobile, and motorcycle products. They offer the most competitive pricing on their wide selection of goods from famous international companies. It provides a platform where buyers and sellers may communicate directly without the need for intermediaries, enabling you to purchase goods at the most affordable costs. MagiDeal is committed to providing customers with a safe, secure buying experience and quick delivery.
Perceived as both a toy and a decoration, Russian dolls have been popular for centuries. Nesting dolls, as they’re also known, may have originated in 1890 in Russia, but their appeal soon spread worldwide, as people started collecting them. These dolls are a fascinating piece of art that not only looks beautiful but also has a great history.
Regardless of whether you’re a collector, a Russian art enthusiast, or just someone who likes cute and quirky things, Russian dolls are an item you must-have. But, with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to pick the right one. To help you out, here’s everything you need to know in our Russian Dolls Buying Guide.
The first official set of Russian dolls are believed to have been made in 1890 by Vasily Zvyozdochkin and designed by Sergey Malyutin. The dolls featured traditional Russian peasant girls in sarafans, dresses, and scarfs or headscarves that were painted in a similar style. The set included eight dolls of decreasing size that could be nested, one inside the other.
However, other sources indicate that the dolls may have earlier origins. They may have been inspired by Japanese nesting dolls imported into Russia in the 19th century. Russian craftsmen may have then developed their own nesting dolls by following Japanese models, which traditionally represented nature and animals. Hence, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact history of Russian dolls, but one thing is for sure; they’re an integral part of Russian heritage and culture.
While the first set of nesting Russian dolls may have included only eight dolls, the number of dolls varies based on different sets. Russian dolls can range from as few as three dolls up to more than 100 dolls, and even dolls with odd numbers are available. The dolls can relate to various themes, including traditional Russian dresses, fairy tales, historical figures, sports, animals, or plants. The shape of the dolls depends on the theme of the set.
On the other hand, the most common type of nesting doll consists of a large “mother” doll containing smaller dolls, each of which can be taken apart and put back together. The dolls traditionally feature a woman, which symbolizes the fertile and nurturing mother, and the smaller dolls represent her children. The dolls can also feature a combination of genders, even though some traditional sets remain only female.
The original Russian dolls were carved out of wood, and today, they’re still mostly made of wood. The typical wood used to make nesting dolls is Linden wood, which is sturdy, lightweight, and easy to paint. Linden wood also provides a smooth surface for the dolls, which ensures that the paint appears as desired.
However, today, you may come across Russian dolls made of different materials. For instance, some dolls may be made of plastic, porcelain, or even bone. The material that the doll is made of can impact its durability, weight, and overall appearance, which is why it’s essential to choose the right material while buying a Russian doll.
Russian dolls can vary significantly in size and shape. The most common size range is between 5 and 15 centimeters, but you can find larger sets with dolls standing more than 60 centimeters tall.
The shape of the doll typically depends on the theme of the nesting set. While some dolls can have a somewhat circular or egg-shaped form, others can represent different objects, such as a bell or a pinecone. Likewise, the cap of the most significant or ‘mother’ doll can have different shapes, such as a cylindrical form or one resembling an onion domed cathedral.
The painting of Russian dolls is probably one of the most critical aspects of the product, which is why the painting technique used can significantly impact the final product’s quality. The art of painting the nesting dolls is referred to as the ‘Matryoshka Technique.’
The technique consists of various steps. The base layer is painted white to hide the wood’s natural grain and imperfections, followed by a layer of paint to portray the top of the doll’s dress. Artisans then paint the doll’s scarf or hat, floral patterns, or other decorations. Finally, they often use lacquer to give the doll a shiny finish that protects the paint from dust or water.
There are several painting techniques used in matryoshka dolls, including:
Now that you know everything about Russian dolls let’s check out some essential factors to consider when buying one:
The quality of the Russian doll is one of the most critical factors to consider. It’s essential to check the wood’s quality, the paint’s quality, as well as the craftsmanship that went into making the doll. The doll should look smooth, with no rough edges, and free of gaps or cracks. The paint should be applied evenly, and there shouldn’t be any patches or smudges on the doll. The doll should feel sturdy, and you should be able to open the smaller dolls and put them back without much effort.
Russian dolls can reflect a wide range of themes and designs, which can include traditional folk styles, fairy tales, or famous people. It would help if you choose a theme that you or the person you’re buying it for, would appreciate. For instance, if you’re buying the doll for your child, you may want to get a set with their favorite animals or a set inspired by a popular children’s book, while if you're an art collector, you may want to look for traditional doll sets with intricate and unique patterns.
The wood, plastic, or porcelain used to make the doll can impact the doll’s durability, appearance, and weight. Wooden dolls are the most popular and come in various wood types such as Linden, birch, or spruce. If you buy a porcelain doll, it should be made from high-quality porcelain and feel durable. The material can also affect the price of the doll, so you should pick a material you can afford but still meets your desired quality.
The size of the doll can significantly impact its price, portability, and visibility. Larger dolls with more intricate designs tend to be pricer, but that doesn’t mean they’re always the better choice. You should consider the space where you’re planning to place the dolls, and the number of dolls you would like to display there. Smaller dolls are easier to store, transport and often come in sets that would look great on a shelf or a display cabinet.
Finally, you should consider the painting technique used in the matryoshka doll. Traditional painting is the most popular technique, and it involves hand-painting the doll to add detail and patterns. Decoupage painting and matryoshka sticker painting are also popular techniques, but the quality may differ from that of traditional painting techniques.
Buying Russian dolls can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it’s essential to consider the factors we have mentioned to ensure you pick the right doll/s. Luckily, with the vast history, themes, designs, and painting techniques available, you are sure to find a set that you or the person you’re buying for will appreciate. Good luck with your Russian Doll hunting!
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