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Chimes and Novelties

Chimes are bells or roly-polys. The Russian term for these dolls is Неваляшка (Nevalyashka), which means "won't lie down". These dolls can tilt and spin and make musical noises.

We come across banks on occasion. They can either open, or be un-openable. Many of these novelties came from Semenov, Krutets and Sergiev Posad. Other occasional finds include thermometers and whistles.

Several category spin-offs include the counting toy, which is a larger doll with many smaller pieces inside. They are used to encourage children to learn to count and to play. Sometimes the dolls can be elaborate and then leave the playground to take on a life of their own. 

 

 

  • SALE
    Matryoshka Nesting Doll Treasure Box

    Matryoshka Nesting Doll Treasure Box

    Colorful enamel Russian Matryoshka Nesting Dolls adorn this hand made keepsake box of solid natural stone, polished to a high-gloss sheen. Just the right size for small treasures: 3x2x1 inches (size varies slightly due to the hand made nature of the box)...
    MSRP: $19.95
    Was: $19.00
    Now: $14.95
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  • SALE
    Tver  Chime Doll

    Tver Chime Doll

    Tver Maiden (Тверская Дева) Chime Doll. A mellifluous chime sound is emitted from this unusual Tver doll. This cute doll from Kalinin (today Tver) which was stylistically different from the other doll production centers such as Semenov, Viatka (Nolinsk),...
    MSRP: $12.95
    Was: $12.95
    Now: $4.95
    Add to Cart
  • SALE
    Mechanical Toy "Spinning Top" (Волчок)

    Mechanical Toy "Spinning Top" (Волчок)

    Mechanical Toy "Spinning Top" (Волчок). An entertaining old-fashioned push-powered top which you set spinning with the handle. When you’ve reached maximum speed, you stop and let it spin away. It lets out a constant low whistle, and lasts a long...
    MSRP: $40.00
    Was: $40.00
    Now: $35.00
    Add to Cart
  • SALE
    A Boy Fashions a Horse (Мальчик лепит лошадку) USSR Kalinin Thermometer

    Boy Fashions a Horse Kalinin Thermometer [Vintage]

    A Boy Fashions a Horse (Мальчик лепит лошадку). A young man carves out a playroom horse. Exquisite folk image. When souvenirs were classy! Hand made from wood and then painted. Wall mounting. Fine condition. Temperature reads in Celsius*. USSR, made in...
    MSRP: $30.00
    Was: $30.00
    Now: $20.00
    Add to Cart
  • SALE
    Bunny's Hut Room Thermometer (Зайкина избушка)

    Bunny's Hut Kalinin Thermometer [Vintage]

    Bunny's Hut Room Thermometer (Зайкина избушка). When souvenirs were classy! Floppy-eared bunny pokes his head out of the window inside his teremok hideaway. Hand made from wood and then painted. Wall mounting. Fine condition. Temperature reads in...
    MSRP: $29.00
    Was: $29.00
    Now: $24.00
    Add to Cart
  • Folk Costume Couple Estonia SALVO

    Folk Costume Couple Estonia SALVO

    Vintage SALVO Estonian Folk Costume Peg Dolls. Painted wood. Made in the Salvo Factory during the Soviet period. 4¾" in height, 3" wide at the bottom. Nicely preserved. 1 pair only. Salvo was a pre-Soviet plastics factory, founded in 1948 as a...
    $20.00
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  • Cosmonauts "Counting" Toy (Космонавты "Счетный" Материал)

    Semenov Counting Toy Cosmonauts [Vintage]

    Cosmonauts "Counting" Toy (Космонавты "Счетный" Материал). Ten brightly painted miniature cosmonauts on a pegged board. Made in the Semenov toy factory in the mid to late 1980s. Very fine work. 2¼" in height x 9⅞" length. Like new condition. 1...
    $20.00
    Add to Cart
  • Musician Lad Boxes, pair.

    Musician Lad Boxes [Vintage]

    Musician Lad Boxes, pair. One plays a balalaika, the other a bayan. These are quite rare in our experience, as we've only seen these two. No labels, and hard to date, but appear to be Semenov work. One is slightly smaller than the other (3" and...
    $25.00
    Add to Cart
  • Cat Bank (Кэт Банк)

    Cat Bank [Polkh/Krutets]

    Cat Bank (Кэт Банк). A truly unique painted wooden bank from either Polkhovsky Maidan or Krutets (we lean towards the latter) circa mid or late 1980's, though it might be earlier. The head has a slot for coins and two holes where presumably ears might...
    $24.00
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  • SALE
    Accordionist Roly Poly Chime Doll

    Accordionist Roly Poly Chime Doll

    Accordionist Chime Doll. A pleasant bright bell chime sound emits from this unusual roly-poly doll in synch with the theme of the painting. An accordionist plays one of Russia's favorite instruments. Lots of details and even painted on the bottom of the...
    MSRP: $15.00
    Was: $15.00
    Now: $12.00
    Add to Cart
  • Zagorsk Green Roly Poly Chime Doll

    Zagorsk Green Roly Poly Chime Doll

    Zagorsk Maiden Green Roly Poly Chime Doll. The Russian traditional roly poly toy has many different names, including "nevalyashka"(неваляшка), "vanka-vstanka" (ванька-встанька) and roly-poly chime doll. Due to the weight in the bottom half, the doll will...
    $20.00
    Add to Cart