Product Description
Kirov Straw Inlay Matryoshka (Кировская Соломенная Инкрустация Матрешка). Made in the Kirov factory in the mid 1980s. Over a hundred tiny pieces of colored straw were painstakingly inlaid into this doll 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 four dolls, first two dolls have decorations on the tops, geometric patterns on most. A charming piece of Russian folk art!
A paper label, if there were one (this one doesn't have one), would usually read in Russian (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.) 12 nested, 7½" in height down to teeny tiny. 1 only, as shown. Condition is about fine, almost like new.
Note: White, cloudy areas in the photos are "hot spots" that were caused by our studio lights and reflected from off the shiny lacquer. The doll is fine.