Matryoshka Doll

Matryoshka doll (Russian nesting doll, babushka doll) is actually a whole set of wooden dolls. Their size decreases so one doll can be put inside the other one. The first Matryoshka was made in 1890. It was carved by Vasily Zvyozdochkin and designed and painted by Sergey Malyutin.

The first Matryoshka doll made in 1890

The number of dolls in each set is 5 or more. Nowadys most sets have odd number of dolls. Traditionally biggest doll in the set is a woman wearing traditional Russian sarafan dress. Other dolls can be of both sex. The smallest doll is a baby. Special sets with Russian politicians, musicians and film stars are available too.