Matryoshka doll sets can be painted in any style or manner, using any type of paints, including watercolors, tempera, or even oils! Any theme, from landscapes to portraits can be depicted, and many of the contemporary artists are going beyond the traditional subject matter to create original one-of-a-kind nesting doll sets that far surpass what was being produced even 20 years ago. Consider Christmas matryoshka dolls or Religious nesting dolls as an addition to any Santa or Christmas collection; or seek out artists featuring cat nesting doll sets, dog nesting doll sets, or outdoor animal sets such as wolves, bears, and eagles to add to your collection. More and more buyers of this traditional Russian art form are realizing the joy of collecting higher-quality nesting dolls.
Although most Russian Nesting Dolls are created as souvenirs and children's dolls, matryoshka dolls at their highest level have also become a type of art that is coveted by collectors of finer art. Many of the matryoshka artists that we represent are hobbyists that create only a few sets per year; and many are also commercial artists that may also paint on canvas or other decorative art mediums.
We have traveled to the centers of the Russian nesting doll art form, villages like Abramtsevo and Sergiev Posad (formally Zagorsk) where the art form is being taught in art schools and groups of matryoshka doll artists have formed marketing co-ops or become famous presenting their unique styles and themes of painting these exquisite doll sets. Selecting the finest artists and most unique creations, we have developed personal relationships over the years to become exclusive buyers for many individual artists, so many nesting doll sets we offer will be only found in our store or on our website. Our history of direct importing authentic Russian matryoshka dolls goes back over 30 years, to assure only the most unique and widest selection offered anywhere in America.
Artists in Russia that may have attended the very best art schools to learn painting history and technique, have then applied their talents to creating their fine art in matryoshka doll formats. The preparation time, uniqueness, detail and quality, much like in any art-form really dictates the the value, price, and collectability. Consider that each nesting doll creation at this level are much like an original painting done for display on a wall, except that there may be 10 or more original paintings in a set!
Each art-quality nesting doll that is featured at the Russian American Company store in Sitka Alaska or on our website has been hand-selected, commissioned, and imported directly from the artists in Russia for over 20 years. Many of our artists create only a handful of these exquisite high-quality matryoshka dolls a year (and may supply them exclusively only to our store) and it is not unusual for the best of our artists to be in high demand.
We specialize in art-quality nesting dolls and represent the very best of the matryoshka doll art form. If you are considering a limited edition or one-of-a-kind set to add to your collection or are interest in Alaskan dolls to give as a gift, please look over our ever-changing selection!