Look What Nick Got Us in Russia!

Hi everyone – If you’ve been following Facebook you know that I’ve been solo parenting for 8 days while Nick took a work trip to Russia and Ukraine.  He did plenty of working, but in his spare moments he made it to the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg (above) and Red Square in Moscow, home of the famous St. Basil church (below).

There was a Christmas market set up in Red Square and it was there that Nick picked up a souvenir for Nia and I.  As a girl, I remember my Great Aunt Marlene visiting Russia and bringing us back a Russian Nesting Doll.  I remember how precious it was to my sisters and I and requested that Nick get one for Nia.

Well surprise, surprise . . . not only did Nia get a Russian nesting doll, but Mama did as well!  Here’s a look at my Matryoshka Doll, affectionately named “Angel” by Nia.  Note: You can see Nia’s Matryoshka on the video below.

I did some research on Wikipedia to learn a bit more about the origins and craftsmanship behind these dolls.  Here’s what I learned:

• The first Russian nested doll set was carved in 1890 by Vasily Zvyozdochkin from a design by Sergey Malyutin, who was a folk crafts painter at Abramtsevo.
• Russian Nesting Dolls often follow a theme; the themes vary, from fairy tale characters to Soviet leaders.
• Traditionally the outer layer is a woman, dressed in a sarafan, a long and shapeless traditional Russian peasant jumper dress
• The word “matryoshka”, literally “little matron”, is a diminutive form of the Russian female first name “Matryona”.

The dolls are constructed from one block of wood in order to create a proper fit. Production involves use of a turning lathe, along with various woodcarving knives and chisels. No measurements are made during this process; sizing to fit is done by eye. After all the dolls are made, they are treated, painted, and coated, before nesting them inside one another.

Source (Photo & Description): Wikipedia

This post wouldn’t be complete without a video showing me taking apart the stacking doll I received.  Before you watch, take a guess as to how many dolls are inside!

I hope you loved her as much as we do!