Cameron Highlands Tea Plantation, Malaysia

Monday, August 23, 2010

Ruby Tuesday - Russian nesting dolls

One of the most fabulous things about visiting Moscow was the souvenirs that I saw almost everywhere in the city. The Russian nesting dolls are very popular and I came across the most beautiful ones that I have ever seen. There are various types of dolls and they all have such interesting history behind them.

The Russian word for these wooden dolls is matryoshka. The most traditional nesting doll design is the one that looks like a young Russian woman dressed in Russian traditional costume with a headscarf and rosy cheeks. The nesting dolls are wooden painted dolls that come in unique styles and different sizes with one doll inside the other. Some are very simple and inexpensive and there are those that are intricately detailed and they often fetch a higher price. Some of the earliest versions had images of fairy tales, flower themes, war images, and also political leaders as well. I've seen some with American Presidents too.


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The ones sold in the malls are a lot more expensive but of better quality.


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Here is an example of how they come apart. Some doll sets contain identical dolls, others have individual dolls painted with different facial expressions or in different colours or costumes.


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I bought a few sets of these unique dolls when I went to Moscow and gave them as souvenirs to my family. My daughter enjoys taking them apart, reassemble them separately and putting them back together.


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Meet some of my dolls. They are proud additions to my vacation mementos display.

31 comments:

  1. These dolls are sure good souvenirs to memory from your trip.

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  2. Those dolls do indeed make lovely souvenir item. They are so cute too!

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  3. Ouh...this is called the Russian nesting dolls. :D

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  4. Yeah! The ones you show us today is very beautiful. :p

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  5. Matryoshka? That is one very special name huh!

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  6. OMG! When they come apart...they look stunning! Must have used a lot of time and patience to create such beauties huh!

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  7. I wish one day I will be able to tour round the world just like you too. :p

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  8. WOW I would love to buy the fairy tale versions of these dolls! :)

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  9. Ha ha I would have bought a few sets myself! They do make awesome souvenirs, I agree... :)

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  10. Enjoy ur vacation mementos then LR and have a lovely Monday! :)

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  11. They're lovely to collect. You've picked the gorgeous ones.

    Hope you have a wonderful week!

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  12. Love all the Red here- I too love the dolls I saw in Russia!

    Have a great week,

    LOLA:)
    btw My RT is posted if you can join me HERE.

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  13. I received a set of these dolls from my Russian pen-pal many years ago. They are such a treasure! Your many styles and colors are so beautifully photographed. Simply beautiful...

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  14. I like the last photo best because of the layout and reflections. My brother bought a few sets when here was over there a few years back as gifts too. They are very cool. Here is my entry.

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  15. they are really cute. i've been meaning to get one set, but may be i should hold off until i get to see moscow - whenever that may be.

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  16. love these russian dolls..they are great fun to play with as well as looking at! lynda

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  17. The Matruskja dolls are wonderful learning toy, as well as great displays.
    Only thing I have experienced, they're fading in sun light.
    So keep them out of windows .t.c

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  18. Wow! beautiful wooden dolls. They are really cute. Here in India, I remember playing with similar stuff in my childhood days.

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  19. Lovely nesting dolls. Children always seem to find them fascinating, for obvious reasons.

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  20. they are really beautiful,
    especially the color n they are so shinny! :)

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  21. The nesting dolls are cute! They are very nice for home decor & giving as souvenirs :-)

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  22. Have always loved these dolls. You have some great ones posted.
    My Ruby Link is here for you

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  23. aww those are really cute. we got a few of mini version of these :)

    I Won't Hold You Back - Toto

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  24. Those dolls are something.
    I have a friend with an impressive collection but nothing like this one.

    http://reesspace.blogspot.com/2010/08/ruby-tuesday-this-water-bottle-rocks.html

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  25. Beautiful dolls!We love them in our house, and each birthday my daughter gets taken to the special shop in the city to choose a new set of dolls. With a week until her birthday I guess we will be heading back there very soon :)

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  26. so cute! i like the one u bought for yourself ;)

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  27. those are good addition to your collection, you got yourself a good set there

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