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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)...

    $24.00 $19.95
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  • 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
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  • Polkh Whistle (Свисток с Полх Майдана)

    Polkh Maidan Carved Whistle

    Polkh Maidan Whistle (Свисток с Полх Майдана). Unusual wooden novelty whistle with painted face, yellow hair and purple cap. Works fine. From around 1990. 3¾" in length. Like new. Two available. (Note: stand we used to photograph the whistle...

    $8.00
    Out of Stock
  • 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),...

    $12.95 $4.95
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  • 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...

    $15.00
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  • 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
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  • SALE
    Mordovia Roly Poly Chime Doll

    Mordovia Roly Poly Chime Doll

    Mordva (Мордовия) Roly Poly Chime Doll. The traditional roly poly has many different names, including "nevalyashka"(неваляшка) and "vanka-vstanka" (ванька-встанька), as well as the descriptive "chime doll". Due to the weight in the bottom half, the doll...

    $20.00 $15.00
    Out of Stock
  • 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
    Matryoshka "Counting" Toy (Матрешка "Счетный" Материал)

    Semenov Counting Toy [Vintage]

    Matryoshka "Counting" Toy (Матрешка "Счетный" Материал). Ten brightly painted miniature Semenov maidens on a pegged board. Made in the Semenov toy factory in the mid to late 1980s. Detailed and fine work. 2¼" in height x 8¾" length. Like...

    $29.00 $20.00
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  • SALE
    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...

    $29.00 $20.00
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