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    • Matryoshka NEW ARRIVALS

    • Winter Idyll (Зимняя идиллия). Winter scenes and churches are favorite topics of Russian nesting doll artists, and this one is not lacking in either.  The use of gold applique for enhancements date this one to mid-2010s. Also, there appears to be some faint writing on the bottom of the first doll, which seems to have been washed away. Usually, nesting dolls of this calibre are signed and dated. (Oh, well, it is what it is.) Overall an elegant and tastefully painted doll with expressive faces. 5 nest, 5" down to 1¼".

      Winter Idyll Matryoshka Sergiev Posad [Vintage]

      Winter Idyll (Зимняя идиллия). Winter scenes and churches are favorite topics of Russian nesting doll artists, and this one is not lacking in either.  The use of gold applique for enhancements date this one to mid-2010s. Also, there appears to be...
      $55.00
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    • Lavra of Sergiev Posad (Лавра в Сергиевом Посаде). The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius (Троице-Сергиева лавра) is the most important and historical Russian monastery and the spiritual center of the Russian Orthodoxy. The monastery is in the town of Sergiev Posad, about 40 miles northeast from Moscow. Its founding in 1337 by St. Sergius of Radonezh is well documented in the contemporary lives of Sergius and his disciples. Famous iconographers and powerful tsars all gained fame and notoriety in this humble lavra. The artist has painted an impressive and positive rendering of the monastery, its gates, cupolas, and immediate surroundings. Bottom of the first doll is painted green to reflect the grassy earth. 7 nest, 6¼" down to 1¼".  Fully lacquered. Signed by the artist and dated 1998.

      Lavra of Sergiev Posad [Vintage]

      Lavra of Sergiev Posad (Лавра в Сергиевом Посаде). The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius (Троице-Сергиева лавра) is the most important and historical Russian monastery and the spiritual center of the Russian Orthodoxy. The monastery is in the town of Sergiev...
      $95.00
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    • Russian Farmhouse (Русская ферма). A stylish and detailed Russian family outfitted with all the trappings of farm life, including barnyard fowl, a traditional hospitality greeting consisting of bread and salt, a krolik (bunny), the proud cat with a bowtie, and the small child at the end. Beautifully painted and lacquered in 1990s by an anonymous artist identified only by their initials and from a St. Petersburg workshop identified as "Матрена". Also, a mysterious number "1" in red is on the bottom of the first doll. Cylindrical shapes. 6 nest, 9¼" down to 2". Note: the final doll seems to have been fitted into the end of this matryoshka at the time of production, due to the difficulties of procuring materials common at the time. The artist probably had access to a 5-nest blank and needed a 6th piece, hence the girl at the end with a base.

      Russian Farmhouse Matryoshka [vintage]

      Russian Farmhouse (Русская ферма).  A stylish and detailed Russian family outfitted with all the trappings of farm life, including barnyard fowl, a traditional hospitality greeting consisting of bread and salt, a krolik (bunny), the proud cat with a...
      $150.00
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    • "Kadochka" Storage Jar from Polkhov Maidan. An intriguing functional small caddy, or wooden jar, which is painted with traditional Polkhov Maidan colors. The head of the storage jar is the grip and it opens from the center. These types of universal containers were intended for storing granulated sugar, salt, flour, dried mushrooms, tea, etc.  Classic Polkhovsky-Maidan matryoshkas are decorated with India ink and aniline dyes. The worn label on the bottom of this appealing and intricately detailed caddy, indicates that it was made at the production association "Polkhovsky-Maidan painting" ("Вознесенское объединение "П-Майданская роспись"), which brought together the artists of Krutets, Polkhovsky-Maidan and Voznesenk.

      "Kadochka" Storage Jar from Polkhov Maidan

      "Kadochka" Storage Jar from Polkhov Maidan. An intriguing functional small caddy, or wooden jar, which is painted with traditional Polkhov Maidan colors. The head of the storage jar is the grip and it opens from the center. These types of universal...
      $75.00
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    • Frog Princess (Царевна-лягушка). In this classic fairy tale, the Tsar wants his three sons to marry. To accomplish this, he creates a task to help them find brides. He tells each prince to shoot an arrow in a different direction. According to the Tsar's ruling, each prince will find his bride in the location that the arrow lands. The youngest son's arrow lands in a pond, where he finds his future bride, disguised in the form of a frog. The king assigns his three prospective daughters-in-law various tasks, such as spinning cloth and baking bread. The young prince is ashamed of his frog bride until she is magically transformed into Vasilisa the Wise, a beautiful, intelligent, friendly, and skilled enchanted princess. Painting, woodburning, "potal" ("поталь"), which is a form of gold foil decoration that imitates gilding, lacquer. Made in Sergiev Posad  about 20-25 years ago. Bottom displays "5м" (abbreviation for "5 pieces") and the artist's cipher. Fine condition with some vestigial sticky paper label remnant on the bottom. 5" to 1⅝".

      "Frog Princess" [vintage Sergiev Posad]

      Frog Princess (Царевна-лягушка). In this classic fairy tale, the Tsar wants his three sons to marry. To accomplish this, he creates a task to help them find brides. He tells each prince to shoot an arrow in a different direction. According to the Tsar's...
      $45.00
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    • Extended Russian Farmhouse Family.  A finely painted artistic doll that features three generations of a simple family that lives on a farm in a village. Farm themes have always been popular in matryoshka production as the farm represents an idyllic and genuinely practical state of affairs in Russia, yesterday and today. The rural experience is universal, and while romanticized, it also reveals that which is mostly lost. This enjoyable set, that even manages to sneak a birch limb on the first doll, is from Zagorsk. 10 nest, 8"x 1".

      Extended Russian Farmhouse Family [vintage 10-nest].

      Extended Russian Farmhouse Family.  A finely painted artistic doll that features three generations of a simple family that lives on a farm in a village. Farm themes have always been popular in matryoshka production as the farm represents an idyllic...
      $150.00
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    • Viatka "Purple" 7-nest (Vintage). Of the over 800 hundred 7-nested USSR sets that passed through our shop, this set is the only one that has three purple dresses on the first three pieces. In about fine condition, no cracks or major signs of wear. 5" down to 1". USSR purple stamp on the bottom. 1 only.

      Viatka "Purple" Matryoshka [Vintage]

      Viatka "Purple" 7-nest (Vintage). Of the over 800 hundred 7-nested USSR sets that passed through our shop, this set is the only one that has three purple dresses on the first three pieces. In about fine condition, no cracks or major signs of wear. 5"...
      $45.00
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    • SALE
      Golden Ring (Золотое кольцо) Artistic Matryoshka. An elegant early nesting doll titled on the front "Golden Ring", which is a ring of towns and cities of great antiquity that lie northeast of Moscow. The artist of this matryoshka features the famous Troitsky-Sergiev Lavra, founded in the 14th century by St. Sergius of Radonezh in Sergiev Posad, Moscow. The doll is an early one (1994) and the details and enhancements are well done, including the faces, the hair, the painting, gilding and woodburning. It has the distinction of being made in Sergiev-Posad, and signed by the artist. Of note is the classic recursive matryoshka style, where each piece opens successively to a smaller version of the preceding one.

      Golden Ring Vintage Artistic Matryoshka [1994]

      Golden Ring (Золотое кольцо) Artistic Matryoshka. An elegant early nesting doll titled on the front "Golden Ring", which is a ring of towns and cities of great antiquity that lie northeast of Moscow. The artist of this matryoshka features the famous...
      Was: $175.00
      Now: $125.00
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    • Zaporozhian Cossacks (Запорожские казаки). A unique mixed media matryoshka with high relief texture enhancements. The first doll has a raised pipe, forelocks, earring and braid as well as a ladybug on the back. Other dolls all have some texture, including traditional head wear, a distinctive mustache on the second doll, plus silver crosses on all four. The Zaporozhian Cossacks lived downstream from the Dnieper Rapids. They were predominantly Ruthenians, and played an important role in the history of Ukraine. The Cossacks left a profound cultural, political and military legacy on Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Turkey and other states that came in contact with it.

      Zaporozhian Cossacks [vintage]

      Zaporozhian Cossacks (Запорожские казаки). A unique mixed media matryoshka with high relief texture enhancements. The first doll has a raised pipe, forelocks, earring and braid as well as a ladybug on the back. Other dolls all have some texture,...
      $89.00
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    • Family (Семья). Family, household, kin, ancestors, tribes and generations are important cultural milestones and landmarks. Relatives are close to one another (usually) and help each other in times of need (usually). The interdependence of family, including extended family, is of utmost importance. Aunts, uncles, and especially grandparents, play an outsized role in raising children, helping parents, and in many cultures, often live together. Which is why nesting dolls with families are a common theme. This colorful matryoshka from 1993 even has the word "семья" ("family" in Russian) written at the base of the head doll. And what a family it is! Grandfather carries a teapot and bagels, babushka a samovar and bowl, an Orthodox priest with Easter eggs, a blacksmith and a daughter carrying two green sacks. The artist's choice of characters is eclectic. 7" down to 1¾". Signed by the artist.

      Family Matryoshka [vintage]

      Family (Семья). Family, household, kin, ancestors, tribes and generations are important cultural milestones and landmarks. Relatives are close to one another (usually) and help each other in times of need (usually). The interdependence of family,...
      $89.00
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    • Red Army Boy (Красная армия). A gang of young boys dress up to play Red Army soldiers, KGB officers, and Young Pioneers. First wears a green olive Budenovka infantry coat with cap with a red star, holds a glistening sharp sword and a hobby horse on a stick. The second is a grim-faced agent with his white coat and pistol, and the third is a little scout. An early entry into the collector field of unusual nesting dolls. Probably Moscow. Dated 1992 and signed by the artist.

      Young Red Army Matryoshka [Vintage]

      Red Army Boy (Красная армия). A gang of young boys dress up to play Red Army soldiers, KGB officers, and Young Pioneers. First wears a green olive Budenovka infantry coat with cap with a red star, holds a glistening sharp sword and a hobby horse on...
      $24.00
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    • Golden Samovar Matryoshka (Матрешка Золотой самовар).  An early, fully handmade and painted 9-nest matryoshka dated 1990 and signed by the artist V. Lagutina (В. Лагутина). Her signature is in itself unusual, since USSR hadn't collapsed yet (it did at the end of 1991). Many of the vintage Russian matryoshkas from 1987 to 1999 found artists declining to sign their work due to old fears of engaging in "capitalist" endeavors (making a profit) and having a trail linked back to them. This was more pronounced in the bigger cities, where fear of reprisals was hard to shed completely. The number of pieces in the set is also unusual and uncommon. The finished pieces are covered with a soft, smooth lacquer. The floral embellishments are disciplined and the samovar is filled in with "potal" ("поталь"), which is a form of gold foil decoration that imitates gilding. Atop the samovar, and eventually taking over, is a blue and white teapot painted in the Gzhel style. Even the dark handles are painted in. A real attractive set!

      Golden Samovar 9-nest Matryoshka [Vintage]

      Golden Samovar Matryoshka (Матрешка Золотой самовар).  An early, fully handmade and painted 9-nest matryoshka dated 1990 and signed by the artist V. Lagutina (В. Лагутина). Her signature is in itself unusual, since USSR hadn't collapsed yet (it did...
      $95.00
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    • Vintage Matryoshka Matryoshka from Moldova. Made in 1988, when the country was a part of the Soviet Union known as the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (МАССР - Молдавская Автономная Советская Социалистическая Республика). Label reads: Министерство лесного хозяйства МАССР (Ministry of Forestry) and Волжский Комбинат (Volzhsky Plant) plus some product information, such as "Matryoshka 5-nest" and the year (1988) of production. Interesting color scheme. Glossy lacquer. 5 nest, 4½" down to 1¼".

      Moldova Matryoshka [Vintage]

      Vintage Matryoshka Matryoshka from Moldova. Made in 1988, when the country was a part of the Soviet Union known as the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (МАССР - Молдавская Автономная Советская Социалистическая Республика). Label reads:...
      $48.00
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    • Polkhovsky-Maidan 4 nest. In the original factory packaging. Voznesensky region ("Вознесенское объединение "П-Майданская роспись"). Classic Polkhovsky-Maidan matryoshkas are decorated with India ink and aniline dyes. This nesting doll, with its appealing faces, was made at the production association "Polkhovsky-Maidan painting", which brought together the artists of Krutets, Polkhovsky-Maidan and Voznesenk. A paper label in Russian gives the date of manufacture (1988), ID number (НХП-ГО-2279а) and price (6.00) in rubles. Approx. 6" to 2¼". Doll like new, box is very good.

      Polkhovsky-Maidan 4nest 1980s (3)

      Polkhovsky-Maidan 4 nest. In the original factory packaging. Voznesensky region ("Вознесенское объединение "П-Майданская роспись"). Classic Polkhovsky-Maidan matryoshkas are decorated with India ink and aniline dyes. This nesting doll, with its appealing...
      $45.00
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    • Polkhovsky-Maidan 4 nest. In the original factory packaging. Voznesensky region ("Вознесенское объединение "П-Майданская роспись"). Classic Polkhovsky-Maidan matryoshkas are decorated with India ink and aniline dyes. This nesting doll, with its appealing faces, was made at the production association "Polkhovsky-Maidan painting", which brought together the artists of Krutets, Polkhovsky-Maidan and Voznesenk. A paper label in Russian gives the date of manufacture (1988), ID number (НХП-ГО-2279а) and price (6.00) in rubles. Approx. 6" to 2¼".

      Polkhovsky-Maidan 4nest 1980s (2)

      Polkhovsky-Maidan 4 nest. In the original factory packaging. Voznesensky region ("Вознесенское объединение "П-Майданская роспись"). Classic Polkhovsky-Maidan matryoshkas are decorated with India ink and aniline dyes. This nesting doll, with its appealing...
      $45.00
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    • Classic Polkhovsky-Maidan matryoshkas are decorated with India ink and aniline dyes. This nesting doll, with its appealing faces, was made at the production association "Polkhovsky-Maidan painting", which brought together the artists of Krutets, Polkhovsky-Maidan and Voznesensk. A paper label in Russian gives the date of manufacture (1988), ID number (НХП-ГО-2279а) and price (6.00) in rubles.

      Polkhovsky-Maidan 4nest 1980s (1)

      Polkhovsky-Maidan 4 nest. In the original factory packaging. Voznesensky region ("Вознесенское объединение "П-Майданская роспись"). Classic Polkhovsky-Maidan matryoshkas are decorated with India ink and aniline dyes. This nesting doll, with its appealing...
      $45.00
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    • Yoshkar Ola Matryoshka, 8 nest. Yoshkar-Ola (sometimes Yoscar-Ola) is the capital of the Mari El Republic in western Russia. The name literally means Red City in the language of the Mari. These dolls were sometimes referred to as Marijaha dolls. One feature of these sets is the lack of flowers. The dolls are tightly nested and painted in bright, primary colors. This one is 8-nested and was made in the 1980s. 5" down to around ½".

      Yoshkar-Ola Matryoshka, 8pcs [Vintage]

      Yoshkar Ola Matryoshka, 8 nest. Yoshkar-Ola (sometimes Yoscar-Ola) is the capital of the Mari El Republic in western Russia. The name literally means Red City in the language of the Mari. These dolls were sometimes referred to as Marijaha dolls. One...
      $40.00
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    • The Tale of the Priest and of his Workman Balda (Сказка о попе и о работнике его Балде) is a fairy tale in verse by Alexander Pushkin (1799-1837). The Priest hires Balda on the cheap to collect a fabricated debt from the sea devils. Balda causes the sea to pitch, which forces the leader of the devils, an "old Бес", to come out on land. He agrees to pay the debt if Balda will defeat his grandson at running and weight carrying. Balda tricks the "little Бес", first by getting a hare, whom he proclaims his "younger brother" to run in his stead, and then by "carrying" a horse between his two legs by riding on it. There is also a sub-plot involving the priest's daughter and her attraction to Balda. The story ends when Balda gives the priest three blows to the forehead resulting in the priest losing his mind. The final line is, "You shouldn't have gone rushing off after cheapness. Pushkin wrote the tale in rhyme in 1830, based on a Russian folk tale which Pushkin had found. In the summer of 1831, Pushkin showed his tale to Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852), who greatly admired it. The Tale saw its  first publication in 1840 posthumously by Vasily Zhukovsky in 1840 with considerable alterations due to censorship; the Priest character was replaced by a merchant.

      Tale of the Priest and His Workman Balda [Pushkin]

      The Tale of the Priest and of his Workman Balda (Сказка о попе и о работнике его Балде) is a fairy tale in verse by Alexander Pushkin (1799-1837). The Priest hires Balda on the cheap to collect a fabricated debt from the sea devils. Balda causes the sea...
      $125.00
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    • Russian Boy (Русский Паренек). Uncommon mid-1960s Semenov boy box. Nicely crafted. On the bottom is a detailed paper label in Russian (see below). In near fine condition with very little wear.

      Russian Boy [Semenov 1967]

      Russian Boy (Русский Паренек). Uncommon mid-1960s Semenov boy box. Nicely crafted. On the bottom is a detailed paper label in Russian (see below). In near fine condition with very little wear. Probably originally purchased from a Beriozka shop around...
      $48.00
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    • Mechanical Matryoshka (Механическая Матрешка). This entertaining Matryoshka spins one way and then the other, back and forth. Made in the Soviet Union pre-1991 at LZM (Leningradskiy Zavod Metalloizdeliy). NIB (New in Box). With key. Unusual in new condition. 7". Made in USSR

      Mechanical Matryoshka NIB

      Mechanical Matryoshka (Механическая Матрешка). This entertaining Matryoshka spins one way and then the other, back and forth. Made in the Soviet Union pre-1991 at LZM (Leningradskiy Zavod Metalloizdeliy). NIB (New in Box). With key. Unusual in new...
      $48.00
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