Buy Russian Dolls Online For Great Gifts!
If you’re looking to buy Russian dolls online, this article explains the different types of Russian dolls available, from Matryoshka dolls (nesting dolls and stacking dolls – also known as Babushka dolls) to paint-your-own Russian dolls and modern and retro Russian dolls that make a unique gift.
Russian dolls are colourful ornamental wooden or plastic dolls that can add sparkle to your home. Both adults and children love to play with Russian dolls – for centuries they have fascinated crafters with their beautiful, intricate floral designs and character.
 |
Home Stickers Russian Dolls Decorative Wall Stickers Amazon Price: $ 30.00 |
Matryoshka dolls are also known as nesting dolls, stacking dolls and Babushka dolls as they come in sets of mixed sizes and fit inside each other. Note the beautifully handpainted strawberry and floral motifs on these dolls.
Example of a nested set of Russian dolls.
Russian dolls are the most popular Russian national souvenir.
History of Russian Dolls
Russian nesting dolls are the most popular Russian national souvenir and have a hundred-year history. The first matryoshka was created in a “Children’s Education” workshop in Abramtsevo near Moscow. The creator was Sava Mamontov, an industrialist and art patron.
The first nesting Russian doll set was made in 1890 near Moscow by artist Sergei Maliutin and turner Vassiliy Zviozdochkin. These nested Russian dolls contained 2-24 pieces, but the more popular dolls of 3, 8 and 12 pieces became the norm.
The first Russian dolls were known as “Russian peasant toys” due to their origination as toys for peasant children.
Throughout history, Russian dolls have been used to portray political figures, noblemen, historical figures, legendary heroes and prominent families. Modern interpretations also include Santa, sports teams, fairytale characters, prominent people, American Presidents, the Beatles, Disney characters, The Simpsons and so on.
 |
Khokhloma Russian Nesting Doll 5pc./4″ Amazon Price: $ 22.00 |
 |
Floral Maiden Nesting Doll 5pc./4″ Amazon Price: $ 18.00 |
 |
Gradient Nesting Doll 5pc./4″ Amazon Price: $ 29.00 |
Matryoshka Russian Dolls
Matryoshka Russian dolls, stacking Russian dolls and nesting Russian dolls are Russian dolls that fit inside each other and come in a set of many pieces. They are also called Babushka dolls. They are often carved out of wood and painted in bright colours with Russian folkloric and flower motifs.
 |
The Art of the Russian Matryoshka Amazon Price: $ 37.97 |
Traditionally, the main (largest size) matryoshka doll is known as a “mother” doll who is in charge of a large peasant family and has a healthy disposition and rounded figure. This is a reflection of the matriachal society in Russia in the past century. Occasionally, other artistic “families” such as political figurehead collections may be captured by artists of matryoshka sets and these may include a father as the head of the Russian doll family. Early matryoshka were known as Boyar Woman, Girl Wearing Red Polka-Dot Kerchief, The Peoples of Russia, The Gypsy and Girl with Buckets.
Did you know?
Russian dolls were traditionally carved from one block of wood and were made from birch or lime trees.
A period style Russian doll set, featuring intricate floral motifs and a distinctive face representative of mid 19th century Russian doll art. The art and price of a Russian doll set will be influenced by the skill of the artist.
Designing your own Russian dolls in bright colours is a great home craft project and results in lovely gifts for family or friends. Consider bringing more Russian dolls into your life, through fabrics, wall decals, ornaments and kitchenware!
Make Your Own Russian Dolls
Paint-your-own Russian dolls have become increasingly popular with artists and people looking for a great homemade gift idea. Unpainted Russian dolls come in many different materials, including wood, plastic and plaster. By painting your own Russian dolls, you can give a unique homemade gift that will brighten up a loved one’s home. You can even paint your own Russian doll in your family’s likeness for a unique family heirloom!
 |
Unpainted Blank Russian Nesting Doll 5pc./6″ Amazon Price: $ 9.00 |
 |
Russian Folk Motifs (Dover Pictorial Archive) Amazon Price: $ 3.70 |
Handy Hint: Use toothpicks or the flat ends of kebab sticks with acrylic paint to form the small dots, flowers and eyes on the doll for painting. Other tools, such as toothbrushes can also be used for painted effects (try toothbrush greenery on landscaped scenes). Seal the acrylic paint with a lacquer or matte clear varnish for waterproof protection.
For painting on plastic, use enamel paint, similar to that used in decorating miniature plastic and metal figurines. You can find enamel and acrylic paints at your local art shop and appropriate varnish at hardware stores.
Did you know?
Before they made Russian dolls, Russian peasant craftsmen in the region used to make nested wooden eggs for Easter.
The famous Michael Jackson Russian Doll Set is known throughout the world and commemorates the life of the famous singer.
There's even a Harry Potter nesting Russian doll set at Amazon, as well as Irish sets, Santa sets, baseball player sets and Thomas the Tank Engine sets for children.
This interesting "Wizard of Oz" Russian doll set is a great keepsake for children.
A beautifully painted cat Russian doll set.
Where to buy Russian Dolls
There are a large variety of Russian dolls for sale you can buy online at Amazon, from measuring cup Russian dolls and Baseball Russian dolls to unpainted Russian dolls and matryoshka Russian dolls.
 |
Michael Jackson Russian Nesting Doll Hand Made 5 Pcs / 6 – 7 in * #m1v1 Amazon Price: $ 31.00 |
 |
Black & White Cat Russian Nesting Doll 5pc./5″ Amazon Price: $ 48.00 |
 |
Wizard of Oz Russian Nesting Doll 7pc./6″ Amazon Price: $ 80.00 |
Look out for traditional types of painted Russian dolls carved out of wood with intricate handpainted folkloric designs or for the more modern sculptured styles representing famous people, including The Wizard of Oz, Harry Potter, Baby Jesus, Michael Jackson or Santa Claus. Since matryoshka dolls are so well known around the world and are such a cheerful addition to home decor, many novelty items using the image of the matryoshka doll make popular gifts and keepsakes.
Russian Doll Gift Ideas
 |
Fred & Friends Babushkups Amazon Price: $ 14.29 |
 |
Dci Babushka Doll Silicone Ice Tray Amazon Price: |
 |
Fred M Cup Measuring Matroyshkas, Set of 6 Dry Measuring Cups Amazon Price: $ 7.80 |
 |
Matryoshka Key Covers Novelty Russian Doll Cute Organize Amazon Price: $ 2.40 |
It’s been my pleasure…
Thank you for reading my article on Russian dolls. If you’re looking for an unusual gift or a new type of Russian doll to add to your collection, have a look at the items above – there’s some books on matryoshka throughout the article, as well as Russian doll measuring cups, Russian doll measuring spoons, Russian doll Babushkups, Russian doll key covers and even a Babushka ice cube tray!
For a unique gift idea, paint your own Russian nesting dolls using Russian folkloric motifs in the likenesses of your family and wow them with a handmade generational keepsake.
I have always been interested in Russian dolls – whether as thimbles, patchworked Russian dolls or handpainted and sculptured sets. They add to any room, are fun to make and can be made in thousands of different artistic styles.
About Suzanne Day
I am surprised with your interest in Russian nesting dolls, maybe because I never liked them myself (being Russian).
Do you know what Babushka actually means?
Most people don’t. The emphasis has slid to “bush”, whereas it should be on “ba” and it means Grandma or an old woman with a soft touch to it. It is very kind soft of “granny.”
Anyway, I hope you enjoy painting those lovely dolls.
Thanks Kallini for your insight! I am interested in Russian dolls the same way as people who don’t live in Australia are interested in digery doos or koalas!
As an African American woman, I thank you for dnilpaysig some sensitivity and awareness of the issue of dolls for your girls. When I was growing up, my parents were VERY CAREFUL to make sure that I had BLACK dolls to play with and that we had BLACK magazines with images of black women and men in them so as to foster an appreciation of my own skin. As a result, I NEVER felt like my skin was not beautiful nor did I feel like I was not as good as the counter media images that constantly bombard a little girl as she’s growing up. I can say that my cousins (who did not have the same experience) used to try to put white or yellow towels on their heads and got blue eyed contact lenses when they were older because of their desire to look like the dolls they used to play with!It’s a very real issue and I applaud you for taking the time to build up your daughter’s self-esteem from a young age!
How wonderful! I love russian dolls, yet never knew they were russian. Theres a great shop in the Royal Arcade that has many and I love to go and play with them. Yet if I was buying a set, I might well buy one through you!
This is a great article! Have you painted any nesting dolls yourself? I recently painted my first set.
Hi Maddartist, I’ve painted ceramic russian dolls but not so much as “dolls” as “mystical creatures”. I love looking at Russian dolls and collecting them – I have a Russian doll thimble, a resin-set Russian doll and just adore Russian doll earrings and brooches ; )
What an excellent source! Thanks, Suzanne, for sharing! I tried to paint a set myself. It did come out not too bad, but I can now tell it is a lot harder than it looks. You do not think that there was a lot of time and effort involved to paint a set until you start painting it yourself. We have quite a variety of nesting dolls on our site including the newest additions for 2011. Check it out if interested.