Kalinin Maidens (Калининские Девочки). This set from Kalinin is not a common set. The decoration is outlined by poker-work and quite different from traditional Viatka (aka Kirov or Nolinsk), Semenov or Polkh-Maidan dolls. The doll features are very expressive. The wood is linden and the colors are bright with thickly applied. They don't have the typical bottom base typical of other dolls. This matryoshka was made in the mid-1980's. 6 nest, 4 in height. 1 only, as shown.
Condition note: the first doll at the top has a bit of paint loss, which is commonly found in dolls from this toy and doll amalgamation.
The Kalinin dolls (Калининская Матрешка) are named after city of Kalinin, situated on the Upper Volga River. After 1991, many cities renamed themselves back to their pre-Soviet names. Kalinin once again became Tver, its original medieval name.
