The description of the nesting dolls, perhaps, will not cause any difficulties today, this toy is so popular all over the world. It has a fascinating history, products are produced in huge quantities today, and in some cities there are even museums dedicated to this unusual painted doll. In this article we will give a description of the nesting doll, tell you its interesting origin. You will also learn what role it plays in the development of children.
Description of nesting dolls
It is a wooden painted doll, inside which there are similar products, but only smaller. The number of dolls nested inside is from three or more. Russian nesting doll, as a rule, has the shape of an egg and consists of two parts - the lower and upper. Thanks to the flat bottom, the toy can be placed in any suitable place. According to tradition, a woman in a scarf and a red sundress is painted on a wooden blank, although today you can find many different other options. There are many topics for painting: these are girls, and fairy-tale characters, and families. Russian matryoshka with a portrait on it or a parody character is very popular today. How did this doll come about that became so popular? We examined the description of the nesting dolls in general terms, now let's plunge into a story that will give a more concrete idea of this product.
Occurrence version
In the 90s of the 19th century, Russia was experiencing a period of rapid cultural and economic development. National self-awareness improved , society more and more actively showed interest in its culture and in art in general. As a result, the art direction “Russian style” appeared, which paid great attention to the creation of peasant toys. In Moscow, even opened a workshop "Child Education". A variety of dolls were created in it to demonstrate national outfits and ethnographic features. In the depths of this workshop, the idea came up to create a wooden doll known today. Such an idea arose after Mamontov’s wife brought a detachable toy from Japan. Sergey Malyutin proposed sketches. This is how matryoshka appeared in Russia.
How did the doll's name appear?
There are several versions on this score. Some historians say that the name of the toy came from the name of Masha, while others are sure that from the name of Matren. The latter variation seems more plausible, as the name Matrena means “mother”. Knowing the description of the nesting doll, which has similar smaller products inside, we can already independently conclude which version is correct. A wooden doll is a symbol of fertility and motherhood.
How are dolls made?
Today they are made in many workshops, since dolls are always in demand. First, softwood is chosen as the material: alder, linden or birch. Trees, as a rule, are cut for these purposes in the spring, then they remove the bark from them, but not completely so that cracks do not appear during the drying process. Then the craftsmen store the logs and keep them in well-ventilated rooms for several years! After a certain time, the production of dolls begins. By the way, the first to make the smallest nesting doll, non-separable. When she is ready, proceed to the next, which will fit the first. Etc. Each piece goes through dozens of operations. The number of dolls can be different, it depends on the imagination of the master or a specific order.
Why do children need a toy?
Any psychologist or teacher will say with confidence that not only the baby plays toys, but the products themselves are important for the full development of the child. It turns out, collecting and disassembling such a unique design, the baby learns the cyclical nature of life and its infinity, the postulates of the universe and the image of motherhood. Thanks to the matryoshka, he understands the model of the emergence of a new life. The doll is able to identify creative inclinations, to form labor skills, an idea of the world. For example, so beloved and popular cubes, turrets, pyramids can be diversified by the presence in the general arsenal of nesting dolls. The baby will develop fine motor skills of hands, logical thinking. As the child grows up, children's dolls will help create interesting scenarios for puppet shows. Specialists call this toy multifunctional, universal. They recognize all the advantages of a nesting doll and recommend it to all children as a toy, especially to those who are lagging behind in development.
Conclusion
It is worth mentioning that in 1900 the dolls “reached” Paris itself, where they were presented at the exhibition and received medals and international recognition. If we talk about records in this direction, it must be said that in 1913 Nikolai Bulychev made a 48-seater matryoshka. We hope that as a result of reading this article you will know more about this unique toy and will definitely get it if it is not already in your house.