Russian Lubok Matryoshka [1993]

Product Description

Russian Lubok (Русский Лубок). Hand painted matryoshka in the Lubok graphic style. "Lubok" (лубо́к, лубо́чная картинка) is a popular print with simple text that explains the story of the picture. Basically a late 17th-early 18th century comic scene. These "lubki" sometimes appeared in a series, thus are a predecessor of the comic strip. It was signed and dated 1993 by the artist on the bottom perimeter of the first doll. 5 nest, 5½" down to 2". 1 only, as shown.

Condition note: some chipping at the top of the first doll as well as the fourth doll (could be touched up, perhaps). 

The lubok text on the first doll depicts the meeting of a noblewoman with Peter the Great, who introduces herself as "Herona". The second has a young man taking the buckets from the young girl, who tells him "give it to me, I don't know how to carry it, but you don't have any fun with it" (or something like that!). The third doll depicts a common lubok theme: "A thief came into my yard to steal my rooster!". The fourth shows a scuffle between two "fine" young men, looking for a fight. And the last shows the famous Kazan Cat, a special breed of "mouser" from the Middle Ages.