HISTORY
The History of Matryoshkas
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The Matryoshka has become a symbol of Russia, and Russian Arts and Crafts, for more than a century. While the name is not directly derived from the word meaning "mother", one of the symbolic aspects of these dolls is the "mother" figure and family
The earliest Matryoshka was made in the late 1890s, and depicts a family in peasant dress, going about their everyday duties. This doll's features are outlined with a burned process, much like burned poker work, and then painted with water colours. When you see pictures of this doll, you are immediately attracted to its naïve art, its "soul" and the faces of each of the eight dolls the smallest of which is a little child.
There are many varieties of Matryoshka, ranging from village/traditional dolls (the most recognised of these being the red black and yellow Semyonov), through to dolls picturing folk and fairy tales, art work, floral patterns, landscape, iconography, religious scenes, historical scenes and significant people. All these dolls exhibit their own uniqueness and personality, and I like to say there is a doll for all of us, and she or he will speak to you if you listen.
Religious themes and Icons decorate some pieces, celebrating the deep-rooted Russian Orthodox spirit that decades of repression could not extinguish. Magnificent recreations of Russian icons and Biblical scenes adorn various decorative items. Angels take wing on eggs, dolls, and ornaments. The artists in Russia today are free to follow their inspiration, and it shows in these works.
For generations of people, the Matryoshka has created memories. Even in Australia we have second, third and fourth generations who respond emotionally to their memories of being allowed to play with "the doll", and who are even now passing on that love and experience to future generations.
The Rooster Girl
She came from the Russian countryside bearing a black rooster and dressed in traditional kerchief, embroidered blouse, and work apron. Unmistakably a symbol of Russian peasantry, she is delightfully unassuming and youthfully optimistic.
Her varicolored siblings step out from within her, each revealing a basket, a sickle, a bowl of porridge, a broom, a younger brother in tow. Nestled in the center we find a baby swaddled in a patchwork quilt: hope for the future in the promise of generations to come.
The first nesting doll was born the 1890's in the Children's Education Workshop-Salon in Abramtsevo, near Moscow. Founded by a patron of the arts, the workshop brought together a handful of professional artists and highly skilled craftsmen devoted to the production and preservation of peasant folk toys and dolls dressed in regional costumes. In this atmosphere of creativity, one artist-toy maker team hit upon a novel idea: What better way to represent a peasant family than with a wooden doll that opens up, revealing a series of nested figures inside? The first doll was a girl. They named her Matryoshka.
To pay homage to the century-old art form of the Matryoshka, we proudly introduce our "Rooster Girl" - a faithful replica of the first Russian nesting doll created in the 1890s by toy makers outside Moscow. This historical collector,s item, limited to 2,500 sets, belongs in every nesting doll collection! A Golden Cockerel exclusive painted in St. Petersburg.
This legendary Rooster Girl resides in the Toy Museum of Sergiev Possad, near the place of her creation. For over a century she has inspired artists throughout Russia to create dolls of utter fascination. An uncountable number of her descendants, nesting dolls of all sizes, shapes, and designs, have found homes with collectors around the world. The selection is mind-boggling and delightful. The timeless matron of this family of dolls, the Rooster Girl remains unsurpassed in her antique beauty: the original Matryoshka.