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Welcome to Heka Naturals
We bring Karelian treasures at your doorstep.
Product Description
TRADITIONAL MATRYOSHKA | SEMYONOV RED AND YELLOW
ORIGINS AND HISTORY:
The Matryoshka nesting dolls have become a staple of Slavic culture since their introduction to Europe in the late 1800s. Though their journey and origin span much further back than most people tend to realise. This staple of Slavic culture actually comes from ancient China, through Japan and only then ended up in Europe.
The quaint beginnings of these, now world famous dolls, actually began as nesting boxes in China around 1000 AD. Craftsmen began to work on making decorative and practical nesting boxes, which were at the time the height of packaging ingenuity. It was not until the 1700s when Chinese carpenters began experimenting with the idea of nesting dolls, and began crafting them, with the innermost doll holding a single grain of rice. These dolls soon made their way to Japan, where they took off as the Japanese had a similar tradition of doll making at the time, even nesting dolls. Similar to nesting dolls, Kokeshi Dolls and Daruma Dolls do not have arms or legs, and are hand painted with decorative bodies and simplified facial features.
In Japan the nesting dolls took on a new form from their Chinese counterparts where they were most commonly created to represent the Seven Lucky Gods from Japanese mythology. The biggest outermost doll would usually represent Fukurokuju, the Japanese god of happiness and longevity. His distinct feature was an abnormally long forehead.
The Japanese nesting dolls soon found themselves travelling the world and some sets ended up in the hands of a wealthy European art patron by the name of Savva Mamontov around 1890.
Mamontov and one of his artists, Sergei Maliutin with the help of master craftsman Vassily Zviozdochkin created the first European set of nesting dolls in the Education Workshop. Their concept was to turn the nesting dolls into a symbol for the Slavic people, which would represent the beliefs, principles and values of regular everyday people.
MAKING MATRYOSHKAS
Matryoshkas are handcrafted from Linden wood. The logs are aerated in the open for two or three years. A master woodworker decides when they are ready to be worked, so the tree trunks are cut into logs appropriate for the heights of the matryoshkas to be made.
CARVING THE WOOD
A wood carver uniquely crafts each set of wooden calipers. Multiple pieces of wood are meticulously carved into the nesting set. They are produced using a lathe equipped with balance bar; distinct types of chisels and wood carving knives, and a set of handmade wooden calipers particular to the size of a doll. The tools are hand forged by the village blacksmith.
THE PROCESS
Matryoshka-making begins with the smallest doll, this one is a solid piece. Its shape and size determine those of all the larger dolls that follow. Afterwards, the bottom half of the next doll is turned, and a ring to attach it to the upper part is made, then the upper part is made, carving the insert for the ring. Finally the woodworker puts together upper and lower half and leaves them to dry. This tightens the ring so the halves will close securely.
The woodworker does not work with measures during the process, sizing the dolls to fit each other is an art, which makes each doll unique.
PAINTING NESTING DOLLS
Each doll is covered with oil-varnish to retain moisture and prevent cracking. Then it is painted using high-quality tempera or oil. The painters are true artists who can achieve great detail, each artist likes to express their art following a theme but creating their own design each time. This is why you will find variations in the matryoshkas design compared to the photo. After the paint has dried, the dolls are finished with a protective coating of varnish or lacquer.
HOW TO OPEN YOUR MATRYOSHKA
1. Lay the nesting doll on a soft flat surface.
2. Place the doll so that its seam is perpendicular to the ground.
3. Place the palm of your hand on the steam and apply light downward pressure until the doll begins to open.
4. Press as many times as needed but don’t press too hard to avoid breaking your doll.
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Authentic Matryoshka Nesting Dolls
Heka_Naturals
Reviews with images
AUTHENTIC Russian nesting dolls.
These are actually made in Russia, by hand, by artisans, and it shows. They are beautiful, well crafted, and are visibly done by hand. Alot of these on Amazon say Russian inspired and produced with Chinese innovation, which is ridiculous, you can't improve on an ancient ethnic art. If you want Russian ethinic / European arts and crafts, there's only one choice, these. Highly recommended.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2022
These are actually made in Russia, by hand, by artisans, and it shows. They are beautiful, well crafted, and are visibly done by hand. Alot of these on Amazon say Russian inspired and produced with Chinese innovation, which is ridiculous, you can't improve on an ancient ethnic art. If you want Russian ethinic / European arts and crafts, there's only one choice, these. Highly recommended.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2023
Size: 7 Inch Semyonov Red Set of 7Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2022
Size: 7 Inch Semyonov Red Set of 7Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2023
Size: 7 Inch Semyonov Red Set of 7Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2023
Size: 7 Inch Semyonov Red Set of 7Verified Purchase
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