Vyatka Straw Inlay Matryoshka Doll. Several hundred tiny pieces of colored straw were painstakingly inlaid into this doll in both a flower and in geometric patterns. The straw is a special variety of rye that was harvested with a scythe, then boiled in a potassium solution to achieve the color of gold. The painstakingly cut-into-shape straw pieces are then fastened and covered with an oil lacquer. A marvel of Russian folk art! This doll has lots of extra detail. Diamond-shaped straw on the back of the first doll, flowers on a green background of the second, third and fourth, and straw collars on the first three dolls.
Straw Inlay Maidens were made in the Kirov factory in the early to mid-1980's. Purple "Made in USSR" stamp on the bottom of the first doll. In excellent condition with strong colors. 10 nested, 6½" down to very tiny. 1 only.
