Kirov Matryoshka, 7nest [early 1980s]

Product Description

Kirov 7pc, circa 1983. This matryoshka set was made in the 1980s, some 20 years after the formation of the production center. Any nesting dolls from the last quarter of the 20th century are somewhat scarce in about fine, unplayed with condition. Of note is the less common purple color of the dresses of the second and third pieces. The lines are sharp, as are the features, on the first four pieces, and the expressions are somber. The pieces all fit well. This is a nice 40 year old set in about fine condition. 5½" down to 1". 1 only, as shown. 

The label reads: Производственное объединение "Вятка" по выпуску игрушек г. Киров (Production association "Vyatka" for the production of toys, city of Kirov), plus state mandated price, article number and date of export (Oct 1983).

It's not easy to find information on how the Russian toy, specifically the Matryoshka doll, came to be the number one tourist and export item of the USSR era. The Russian, aka Soviet, toy production began courting the tourist trade in earnest sometime in the 1960s, when it encouraged small collectives and factories to produce souvenirs to be sold to non-Russians. It started slowly, but eventually built up speed as the Moscow 1980s Olympics was slated to welcome foreign, specifically from the Western (aka USA), tourists. Interest in Russian handicrafts was also stoked by importers of said goods in the US and elsewhere.

Read about the history of Kirov dolls Here