#4007 Hand-painted vintage Russian nesting dolls depicting toy soldiers.

Matryoshka dolls, also known as Russian nesting dolls, are a set of wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside another. The original Matryoshka doll was created in 1890 in Abramtsevo by toy designer Sergey Malyutin and woodturner Vasily Zvyozdochkin. They were inspired by Japanese nesting dolls, but Malyutin adapted the design to depict Russian peasant women, which quickly became a symbol of Russian folk art and culture.

These dolls are typically made from linden wood and are hand-painted, with each doll in a set featuring a unique design, often depicting traditional Russian life, fairy tales, or historical figures. The theme of toy soldiers or nutcrackers is a popular variation, especially around the holiday season, and they are often collected for their artistic merit and craftsmanship. The number of dolls in a set can vary significantly, from just a few to over fifty. 6” tall when nested, no chips or cracks.