Nesting Doll

Date1933

Mediumwood, paint, varnish

Dimensions2 3/4 × 1 1/2 × 1 1/2 in. (7 × 3.8 × 3.8 cm)

ClassificationsRecreational Objects

Credit LineAlbuquerque Museum, gift of Fran Tuthill

Object numberPC2003.8.1.4

DescriptionThis hand-painted nesting doll set, crafted in 1933, is a classic example of the iconic Russian Matryoshka, or nesting dolls. A hallmark of Russian folk art, these wooden figures are celebrated for their rounded shapes and the way each smaller doll fits neatly inside a larger one. Traditionally, they depict characters from folklore or culturally significant figures. This particular set includes a woman dressed in a traditional Russian outfit—featuring a floral orange dress and a babushka headscarf—and a smaller male figure wearing a classic Russian-style suit with a sash or belt tied at the waist. Matryoshka dolls offer a glimpse into Russia’s rich cultural traditions and the enduring artistry of handmade folk objects.

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