Matreshka Doll

The history of the toy

Matreshka comes to Russia

The first Matreshka doll comes to Russia at the end of the 19th century. It looks like a figure of an old wise man Fukuruma from Japan.

Making Russian Matreshka

First the carpenters and the artists make them as girls or boys. They name the doll Matrena-as it is a popular name in Russia in those times and it becomes Matreshka.

carpenter – столяр

artist - художник

How Matreshka looks like

There are usually from eight to ten figures in one, sometimes less or more.

The last one is a baby.

Matreshka becomes popular

The first Matreshka doll is from Moscow.It is a simple doll in a casual dress.

simple – простая

casual - каждодневная

Matreshka becomes beautiful

Then it becomes bright and beautiful. It is very popular not only in Russia but in other countries, too.

People start making Matreshka dolls in Sergiev Posad in the 20th century.

Different kinds of Matreshka dolls