Product Description
Kirov Straw Inlay Matryoshka (Кировская Соломенная Инкрустация Матрешка). Made in the Kirov factory in the late 1980s. Over a hundred tiny pieces of colored straw were painstakingly inlaid into this doll in both a flower and in geometric patterns. The straw is a special variety of rye harvested with a scythe, then boiled in a potassium solution to achieve the color of gold. The cut-into-shape straw is then fastened and covered with an oil lacquer. Diamond-shaped straw collars on the first two doll, flowers on first three, and buttons on the last two. A marvel of Russian folk art! Original paper label in Russian reads (in part): "Кировское производственное объединение "Вятка" по выпуску игрушек. г. Киров. Кировская фабрика сувениров". (Kirov Production Association "Viatka" for the production of toys. City of Kirov. Kirov Souvenir Factory.) 5 nested, 4⅜" x 1⅝". 1 only, as shown.
Condition note: last picture shows slight abrasion to back of the 2nd doll.