Posted 12 years ago
Phatbuddha
(220 items)
Really old Russian dolls. But how old are they??
A friend found these at the dump. I've done a little Research on them but can't find anything like them. They look really old,I would say over 100 years but you never know. I think they are of a Royal Russian family,maybe of the time they was made, they are hand painted,with some lovely Colours and some gold which is Probably really gold.
If anyone could help place a date on them we would really Appreciate your info. Thanks for looking :)
Really cool, but have no idea.
A matryoshka doll (Russian: ????????; IPA: [m??tr?o?k?] ( listen), matrëška), also known as Russian nesting/nested doll, refers to a set of wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside the other. They are sometimes incorrectly referred to as "babushka dolls" (grandmother doll) . The first Russian nested doll set was carved in 1890 by Vasily Zvyozdochkin from a design by Sergey Malyutin, who was a folk crafts painter at Abramtsevo. Traditionally the outer layer is a woman, dressed in a sarafan, a long and shapeless traditional Russian peasant jumper dress. The figures inside may be of either gender; the smallest, innermost doll is typically a baby turned from a single piece of wood. Much of the artistry is in the painting of each doll, which can be very elaborate. The dolls often follow a theme, aside from the typical traditional peasant girls, the themes vary, from fairy tale characters to Soviet leaders.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matryoshka_doll
There are thousands on that online auction site. And let me tell you, they are not cheap. Honestly, yours look older, and more "authentic", then all of these.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Collectibles-/1/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=Matryoshka+doll&rt=nc
You really find some great stuff Phatbudda. You should have your own reality show.
Wow....a very profitable find indeed! I can't believe they are still in such good shape. Most of the things you find, aren't they stained or ruined by food paint dirt mold etc?
are these signed by an artist?? Check this out Phatbudda:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Russi-Matryoshka-Nesting-Dolls-15-13-Icon-Virgin-Mother-Christ-Easter-/281074978704?pt=US_Dolls_Bears_Toys&hash=item41715fcf90
Oh no, is the second to last piece missing a bottom???
Thanks alot for your Comments and information. My friend will be happy with them all :)
hi! oh, i collect nesting dolls and mainly the older ones... so these are just what i love! can i go with your friend to the dump?! circa 1930s or so. during this time, no signature. maybe a stamp or label. if you ever decide to part with it, i am ready!
hi again! oh, i did not realize you were from uk. i would love to travel there and look for old russian dolls!!!
i recently bid on an old russian matryoshka dolls ebay auction from uk. it was a 12piece set and from around the same time period as yours just different subject matter. this one representing a maiden with her family. it sold for 156p/239.49dollars. point to note, number of dolls, condition and subject affect price.
the ebay link that was sent to you a month ago, those dolls did not sell--religious 15 piece set. although a nice set, great condition and many dolls, it was a bit high for the times.
hope you find more!!!
Thanks for the Information munequita. I will let my friend know. I though they was older than 1930's but I'm no Expert and the main doll has a Signature but I can't for the love of me work it out. It's not in English so the letters are not easy to work out.
I think my friend will be selling them on eBay but not sure when. But when he does I will let you know. Thanks again your info has been really helpfull :)
aahhhhhhhhhhh! don't tease me! i would love to have a chance to buy these dolls. honestly, i have been having a difficult day and this news made it a bit brighter. i like them especially for the male family member with the mustache :) it reminds me of my husband!!!
ahhh... matryoshka do make me feel better :)))
on age, sorry, truly i am really no expert. it is just hard to pin point as i have not run across a similar set pictured in any of the books or magazine articles.
thanks again for the great news!!!! i am doing the matryoshka dance!!!
I will talk to him tomorrow, I'm sure he will put it on soon.
I think he is Stalling because hes not sure how to list it.
I will comment on here after I've spoken to him for you :)
THANK YOU for the news... :)))
maybe i can make him an offer ;) inspire him to list on ebay.
thanks again... until then... i will be anxiously waiting..
hope he finds more old matryoshka!
hi phatbuddha.... have you had a chance to speak to your friend on the russian dolls? sorry... i just love'em :)
Do they have a signature on the bottom? Could you post a shot if there is?
still love your russian dolls :) happy holidays
I was searching for images of dolls that look like my set that I am trying to find a value for, and found this thread. Mine are very old, 14 dolls. they were my mothers and I am 50 years old, they were old when I was a kid. how do I post photos here for you to look at? this image on Pinterest is almost the same as the ones I have, but I think mine are much older. http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=Antique%20Russian%20Nesting%20Dolls%20Matryoshka%20Folk%20Art%20Wood%20Wooden%20Figures%20Toy%20Box
Thank you for any input!
Lisa