Russian nesting dolls, known as matryoshka dolls, originated in 1890 and were inspired by Japanese souvenir dolls. They gained popularity after being presented at the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris where they received a bronze medal. Traditionally, matryoshka dolls depict peasant girls in traditional dress or fairy tale characters, though modern dolls often portray famous politicians, musicians and movie stars.

1. Matryoshka
Russian Nesting Dolls

2. History
 "Matryoshka" (Матрёшка) comes from a
popular Russian peasant (female) name
Matryona or
Matriosha (Meaning mother of a big peasant
family).
 Matryoshkas date from 1890, and they are
said to have been inspired by souvenir dolls
from Japan.
 In 1900 the dolls were presented at the
World Exhibition in Paris and it earned a
bronze medal. Soon many places in Russia
started making the Matryoshky.

3. Themes
 Peasant girls in traditional dress
 Fairy tale characters
 Portraits and Caricatures of famous
politicians, musicians, and movie stars

4. Metaphor
 Nested doll principle
 Relationship of similar object-within-similar object
 Follows natural and man-made objects. Ex: Onion

5. Traditional

6. Modern

7. More
Modern
Dolls