Russian Dolls - Centuries Old Tradition and Masterart

Published:
Modified:

A country that is special in many ways has a rich culture and heritage too. Russia has many historical elements which still maintain their charm. One of them is Russian Dolls. Yes, you heard it right. Matryoshka Dolls or Russian dolls are quite popular. They have a long history. They have other names too like Russian Nesting Dolls and stacking dolls. They look beautiful and can easily be part of your home. First Russian nested doll was made way back in 1890. Since then it has continued and demand for Russian dolls is quite high even today. Russian dolls are not just toys but they are symbol of the country. Let us see what is unique about these Russian dolls and why should you buy them when you are in Russia on Russia Tour?

History and Themes of Russian Dolls

Russian dolls first happened 110 years ago. They first appeared in stores on the eve of Paris World Exhibition of Industry and Commerce which was held at the end of 1890. This Russian Matryoshka is much more than wooden toy. In technical specification, a set of matryoshkas consists of a wooden figure which separates, top from bottom, to reveal a smaller figure of the same sort inside, which has, in turn, another figure inside of it, and so on. Outer layer is traditionally of a woman dressed in Sarafan which is a traditional Russian dress. The other figures inside may be of other gender as well while the smallest and the innermost doll is typically a baby. The most attractive part of these dolls apart from nesting is the color and painting of each doll which are quite elaborate and very pleasant to see. These dolls are made with a theme. Earlier themes were mainly drawn from fairy tale characters but since late 20th century they have embraced to a larger range which includes soviet leaders.

Matryoshka Dolls

Themes of dolls have traveled across time. In 1980 s and 1990 s freedom of expression in the Soviet Union allowed many leaders to express their strong views and this was visible also in the themes of Russian doll which was dominated by then political leaders. Largest doll of that time featured Mikhail Gorbachev, leader of that time. Modern artists are adopting new styles of nesting dolls. They incorporate wide themes like floral, Christmas, Easter, animal collections, caricatures, portraits famous musicians, politicians, sports stars, movie starts etc. However the trend continues of making the largest doll featuring current leader with the size of predecessor decreasing. The largest set of matryoshka dolls as on date in the world is a 51-piece set. This set was hand-painted by Youlia Bereznitskaia of Russia and it was completed in 2003. The tallest doll in the set is 54 centimeters and the smallest is 0.31 centimeters. They are arranged side-by-side and the dolls span 3.41 meters.

Russian Nesting DollsTake Back Russian Dolls to Your Home

These dolls are beautiful, colorful and can easily add a charm to any part of your home. When you are in Russia with Russia Travel Package you can buy these Russian dolls. You must take a Russian Nesting Doll back home when leaving Russia Tour. People from all over the world collect matryoshkas. The simplicity and originality of matryoshka dolls attract the art lovers from around the world. You can put these bright and picturesque Russian nesting dolls to decorate your fireplaces and bookshelves in your home.

No frequently asked questions available for this article.

Recent Blog

...

28 Oct

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Flying to Almaty in 2027? What QazETA Means for Your Trip from January

From 1 January 2027, Almaty Airport joins Kazakhstan's QazETA rollout. Here is what Indian traveller...

Read More
...

27 Oct

Travel Admin Coments (8)

The Fergana Valley: Rishtan Ceramics and Margilan Silk for Craft Lovers

The Fergana Valley is where Uzbekistan's finest silk and ceramics are still made by hand. This guide...

Read More
...

24 Oct

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Wings of Tatev: Riding One of the World's Longest Cable Cars in Armenia

Wings of Tatev carries you 5.7 km across a deep gorge to a 9th-century monastery in about 12 minutes...

Read More
...

22 Oct

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Buying a Carpet in Baku: Prices, Quality Checks and the Export Certificate

A handmade Azerbaijani carpet is one of Baku's best souvenirs, but buying one takes care. This guide...

Read More
...

21 Oct

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Afrosiyob High-Speed Train: How Indians Can Book Tashkent–Samarkand–Bukhara Tickets

Afrosiyob tickets sell out fast, and Indian cards don't always work on the booking site. Here is exa...

Read More
...

19 Oct

Travel Admin Coments (8)

How to Reach Murmansk from India: Flight Routes, Connections and Total Travel Time

There are no direct flights from India to Murmansk, but one connection gets you there. This guide ma...

Read More
...

16 Oct

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Almaty Nightlife for Indian Travellers: Bars, Clubs and Safe Late Nights

Almaty has a lively night scene, from street music on Arbat and city views at Kok-Tobe to cocktail b...

Read More
...

14 Oct

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Alcohol and Duty-Free: What Indians Can Bring Back from Central Asia and the Caucasus

India's duty-free allowance for returning travellers is ₹75,000, with up to 2 litres of alcohol per...

Read More
...

13 Oct

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Carrying Medicines Abroad from India: Rules for Kazakhstan, Georgia and Azerbaijan

Carrying personal medicines to Kazakhstan, Georgia or Azerbaijan is usually fine with the right pape...

Read More
...

12 Oct

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Almaty Itinerary for Indians: 5 Days with Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes and Shymbulak

A day-by-day Almaty plan for Indian travellers: city sights, Shymbulak, Kolsai Lakes and Charyn Cany...

Read More
...

05 Oct

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Georgia vs Azerbaijan: Which Caucasus Country Should You Visit First?

Georgia and Azerbaijan sit side by side in the Caucasus, but they feel nothing alike. This guide com...

Read More
...

23 Sep

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Best Time to Visit Tbilisi, Georgia: Month-by-Month Guide

Tbilisi has four genuinely distinct seasons, and picking the wrong month means either 35°C summer he...

Read More
...

21 Sep

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Istanbul Sightseeing Tours 2026: Best City Tour Options, Prices and Deals for Indian Travellers

Istanbul offers five genuinely different ways to see the city — a shared Old City walking tour, a pr...

Read More
...

19 Sep

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Vietnam Travel Guide for Indians 2026: Visa, Costs, Best Places & Best Time to Visit

Vietnam has become one of the most rewarding international trips an Indian traveller can book — a 3-...

Read More
...

11 Sep

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Vietnam Digital Arrival Card (DAC) 2026: Complete Step-by-Step Guide for Indian Travellers

Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Phu Quoc — Vietnam's DAC is now mandatory at all four major airpor...

Read More
...

20 Aug

Travel Admin Coments (8)

EU Entry/Exit System (EES) 2026: How It Changes the Schengen Experience for Indian Travellers

urope's new Entry/Exit System (EES) replaced passport stamps with biometric fingerprint and facial s...

Read More
...

18 Aug

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Bali Belly: The Complete Indian Traveller's Guide — Prevention, Treatment and When to See a Doctor

Bali Belly — traveller's diarrhea from contaminated food or water — is the most common health compla...

Read More
...

13 Aug

Travel Admin Coments (8)

UPI Abroad for Indians 2026: Where It Works, Where It Doesn't, and What It Actually Costs

UPI now works in 10 countries — but knowing which 10, what hidden charges apply, which apps actually...

Read More
...

11 Aug

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Bali Visa on Arrival for Indians 2026: Exactly What Happens at the Counter

Indian travellers get a straightforward Bali Visa on Arrival — but in 2026 there are now three separ...

Read More
...

07 Aug

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Indian Passport Renewal Abroad: What to Do If Your Passport Expires or Gets Lost During Travel

Whether your Indian passport has expired mid-trip or has been lost or stolen abroad, this is the exa...

Read More
...

06 Aug

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Japan Cherry Blossom Season: The Complete Guide for Indian Travellers

38% more Indians visited Japan during Sakura 2024. Here is why they went, what they saw, and how you...

Read More
...

03 Aug

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Cambodia e-Visa for Indians 2026: Step-by-Step Application Guide

Everything Indian travellers need to know about applying for a Cambodia e-Visa in 2026: the official...

Read More
...

23 Jul

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Travel Insurance Claims: What Indian Travellers Don't Know Until It's Too Late

Most travel insurance claims by Indian travellers don't fail because the incident wasn't covered — t...

Read More
...

22 Jul

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Airport Layover Guide for Indians 2026: Hub-by-Hub Transit Rules

A hub-by-hub breakdown of exactly what Indian passport holders can and cannot do during an airport l...

Read More
...

21 Jul

Travel Admin Coments (8)

SGAC 2026: How to Fill the Singapore Arrival Card - Step-by-Step Guide for Indians

Travelling to Singapore from India? Complete SGAC 2026 guide — who needs it, how to fill it step by...

Read More
...

15 Jul

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Chiang Rai vs Chiang Mai: Thailand's Quieter North Is Trending

Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are northern Thailand's two most-searched hill destinations for 2026, but...

Read More
...

04 Jul

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Tanzania vs Kenya Safari: Which African Safari Is Right for You?

Kenya vs Tanzania safari: compare wildlife density, migration timing, costs, visas, and crowd levels...

Read More
...

04 Jul

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Things to Know Before Visiting Dubai: A First-Timer's Guide for Indians

Do Indians need a visa for Dubai, and how much should a first trip cost? This first-timer's guide an...

Read More
...

24 Jun

Travel Admin Coments (8)

Indian SIM Cards vs Local eSIM in Central Asia: What Actually Works

Comparing Indian SIM roaming against local eSIMs for Central Asia trips — real pricing, network cove...

Read More
Book With Confidence

Hassle-free booking and best price guaranteed

24/7 support available

Hand-picked tours & activities

Free travel insurance

Chat on WhatsApp