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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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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 -
Seven Dwarves - Large Green / 5 pc set / Approx 17 cm
Geppettos Workshop$89.95Enjoy the Seven Dwarves! - hand painted on a beautiful set of Russian nesting dolls. This is the larger of our two sets and measures about 17cm tal...
View full details$89.95Sale -
Snow White - Large Pink / 5 pc set / Approx 17 cm
Geppettos Workshop$89.95Enjoy the Snow White and the Seven Dwarves! - hand painted on a beautiful set of Russian nesting dolls. This is the larger of our two sets and meas...
View full details$89.95Sale -
Snow White - Small Blue / 5 pc set / Approx 11 cm
Geppettos Workshop$49.95Enjoy Snow White! - hand painted on a beautiful set of Russian nesting dolls. All our matryoshka are made in Russia. We take great care to ensure t...
View full details$49.95Sold out -
Snow White - Small Pink / 5 pc set / Approx 11 cm
Geppettos Workshop$49.95Enjoy Snow White! - hand painted on a beautiful set of Russian nesting dolls. All our matryoshka are made in Russia. We take great care to ensure t...
View full details$49.95Sold 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...
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Thomas the Tank - Large Yellow / 5 pc set / Approx 17 cm
Geppettos Workshop$89.95Enjoy the Thomas the Tank Engine and other characters from his tales! - hand painted on a beautiful set of Russian nesting dolls. This is the large...
View full details$89.95Sold out -
Thomas the Tank - Small Yellow / 5 pc set / Approx 11 cm
Geppettos Workshop$49.95Enjoy Thomas the Tank Engine! - hand painted on a beautiful set of Russian nesting dolls. All our matryoshka are made in Russia. We take great care...
View full details$49.95Sold out -
Winnie the Pooh - Small Blue / 5 pc set / Approx 11 cm
Geppettos Workshop$49.95Enjoy Winnie the Pooh! - hand painted on a beautiful set of Russian nesting dolls. All our matryoshka are made in Russia. We take great care to ens...
View full details$49.95Sale -
Winnie the Pooh - Small Green / 5 pc set / Approx 11 cm
Geppettos Workshop$49.95Enjoy Winnie the Pooh! - hand painted on a beautiful set of Russian nesting dolls. All our matryoshka are made in Russia. We take great care to ens...
View full details$49.95Sold out -
Wizard of Oz - Large Green / 5 pc set / Approx 17 cm
Geppettos Workshop$89.95Enjoy the Dorothy and characters from the Wizard of Oz! - hand painted on a beautiful set of Russian nesting dolls. This is the larger of our two s...
View full details$89.95Sale