Russian Matryoshka

The Russian Matryoshka (painted wooden dolls nestled into one another) is known far outside Russia and has a history of almost a century. During this comparatively short space of time it emerged as an all-embracing symbol of Russia, a symbol of Russian folk art. The wooden painted doll appeared in Russia in 1890's, the period which saw burgeoning economic and cultural development. It was the time of a growing sense of national identity and interest in Russian culture and art. As part of this general trend a new artistic current called "Russian style" emerged.