Matryoshka doll

A Matryoshka doll (Cyrillic ???????? or ????????) is a Russian nesting doll. Its name is a diminutive form of a Russian female name "Matryona".

Related Topics:
Doll - Cyrillic - Russia - Diminutive

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A set of Matryoshka dolls consists of a wooden figure which can be pulled apart to reveal another figure of the same sort inside. It has in turn another figure inside, and so on. The number of nested figures is usually six or more. The shape is mostly cylindrical, rounded at the top for the head and tapered towards the bottom, but little else; the dolls have no hands (except those that are painted). The artistry is in the painting of each doll, which can be extremely elaborate.

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The theme is usually peasant girls in traditional dress, but can be almost anything, ranging from fairy tale characters to Soviet leaders.

Related Topics:
Fairy tale - Soviet

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