Description: |
The art form of Matreshkas (often spelled Matroyshkas) is more than 100 years old. Matreshkas are commonly referred to as nesting dolls because each smallest doll stacks into a larger one. According to legend, the first nesting dolls were made by a Russian monk in Japan at the end of the 19th century. Soon after, they were brought to Russia and made at the Childrens Education Workshop in Moscow. Today, there are many subjects for nesting dolls besides the traditional mother figure. For instance, this nesting doll, made in the late 1980s, represents President George Bush, his wife Barbara, the White House, Statue of Liberty, the Bushs dog Millie, and good old American Coca-Cola. Made in Russia when it was still the Soviet Union, this was a Russian artists view of what symbolized America and the presidency. Political figures continue to be a popular subject for nesting toys. The Childrens Education Workshop in Moscow closed in 1890, but the tradition of Matreshka-making was continued at a workshop in the town of Sergiev Posad. Since then, the art form has flourished throughout Russia. The early dolls were modeled after peasant mothers with their children nesting inside. Matre is latin for the word mother, so thats how the name Matreshka originated. Even today, these dolls continue to represent motherhood and fertility. Matreskas are predominantly made from lime and birch wood because they are stable, keep their shape well, and resist moisture. The dolls are turned on a hand lathe by expert doll makers. No measurements are taken to determine each dolls size. The craftsman relies on his expertise, making the smallest doll first, then the next largest, and so on. The pieces are then cleaned and sealed with corn or potato paste to create a smooth surface. The doll is then polished with sand paper, sketched on, painted, and finally lacquered with several coats to produce the traditional shiny surface. |
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Source: |
http://www.digitalindy.org/cdm/ref/collection/tcm/id/902 |
Collection: |
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis |
Rights: | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/; |
Copyright: |
Creative Commons (CC By-SA 3.0); |
Subjects: |
Bush, George, 1924- Nesting dolls Russia Russia -- Social life and customs |
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