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Matryoshka (Russian Nesting Dolls)
Babushka or matryoshka you ask?
The answer is most certainly matryoshka. The word and that spelling can mean "little matron" and is used to refer to nesting dolls (matreshki) in Russia. Once, Matriyosha and Matryona we popular girl names in Russian derived from the Latin "mater" for "mother". Babushka is the Russian word for "grandmother" so its use to describe nesting dolls is common, but not entirely accurate.
Dating from the original set created in 1890 by Vasily Zvyozdochkin and Sergey Malyutin, nesting dolls have become iconic to Russia. The concept is thought to have derived from the earlier work of Japanese artisans making kokeshi dolls which occassionally hid one doll within another ... although the origins remain disputed.
Geppetto's Workshop goes to great length to understand and be sure of our sourcing origins for our Russian made matryoshka. The timber is often lime, linden, birch or alder which is plantation grown, harvested when sappy and let dry and stabilize for 2 years. Each piece of each doll is hand turned on a lathe and fitted uniquely to its matching half and the dolls within starting with the smallest first. No set is identical. Most are painted by ladies who work as their mothers did ... during school hours and often together in social settings.
A classic Russian gift, a matryoshka is a gesture of "good health to you" by representing generations of ladies and their children ... all looking healthy and portly.
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Christmas Snow Tales with Sleigh Ride - 5 pc set / Approx 15 cm
Geppettos Workshop$119.95All our matryoshka are made in Russia. We take great care to ensure the provinence of our nesting dolls and certificates of their origin can be pur...
View full details$119.95Sale -
Christmas Tree - 3 pc set / Approx 13 cm
Geppettos Workshop$44.50This set is finished in a gloss lacquer. This is a very tough surface which will resist marks and scuffing over time with extensive play by childre...
View full details$44.50Sold out -
Christmas Tree - 4 pc set / Approx 14 cm
Geppettos Workshop$57.50This set is finished in a gloss lacquer. This is a very tough surface which will resist marks and scuffing over time with extensive play by childre...
View full details$57.50Sold out -
Santa - 3 pc set / Cone / 15 cm
Geppettos Workshop$78.95This set is finished in a satin paint which is not lacquered. This leaves a more natural and less glossy finish which will mark slightly over time ...
View full details$78.95Sale -
Santa - 4 pc set / Blue with Gold Detail / 12 cm
Geppettos Workshop$107.95This set is finished in a gloss lacquer. This is a very tough surface which will resist marks and scuffing over time with extensive play by childre...
View full details$107.95Sale -
Santa - 4 pc set / Red with Gold Detail / 12 cm
Geppettos Workshop$107.95This set is finished in a gloss lacquer. This is a very tough surface which will resist marks and scuffing over time with extensive play by childre...
View full details$107.95Sale -
Santa - 4 pc set / White with Gold Detail / 12 cm
Geppettos Workshop$107.95This set is finished in a gloss lacquer. This is a very tough surface which will resist marks and scuffing over time with extensive play by childre...
View full details$107.95Sale -
Santa - 5 pc set / Behind Tree with Candy Canes / 10 cm
Geppettos Workshop$57.50This set is finished in a gloss lacquer. This is a very tough surface which will resist marks and scuffing over time with extensive play by childre...
View full details$57.50Sale -
Santa - 5 pc set / Blue Sack with Gold Staff / 16 cm
Geppettos Workshop$89.95This set is finished in a gloss lacquer. This is a very tough surface which will resist marks and scuffing over time with extensive play by childre...
View full details$89.95Sale -
Santa - 5 pc set / Brown Sack with Huge Beard Holding Tree / 10 cm
Geppettos Workshop$52.95This set is finished in a gloss lacquer. This is a very tough surface which will resist marks and scuffing over time with extensive play by childre...
View full details$52.95Sale -
Santa - 5 pc set / Egg Shape with Snowmen / 16 cm
Geppettos Workshop$91.95This set is finished in a satin paint which is not lacquered. This leaves a more natural and less glossy finish which will mark slightly over time ...
View full details$91.95Sold out -
Santa - 5 pc set / Light Blue Sack with Tree / 9 cm
Geppettos Workshop$57.50This set is finished in a gloss lacquer. This is a very tough surface which will resist marks and scuffing over time with extensive play by childre...
View full details$57.50Sale -
Santa with Ornaments - 6 pc set / Approx 17 cm
Geppettos Workshop$89.95This wonderful Santa includes 5 Christmas ornaments you can actually use on your tree. Theornaments within vary greatly, but typically include a sn...
View full details$89.95Sold out -
Snowman - Red Scarf / 3 pc set / 9 cm
Geppettos Workshop$45.50This set is finished in a gloss lacquer. This is a very tough surface which will resist marks and scuffing over time with extensive play by childre...
View full details$45.50Sale