MATRESHKA - handmade Russian nesting doll

First russian nesting doll was of 8 pieces nesting doll made by woodcarver Zvezdochkin and painted by artist Malutin in 1890. "Matryona" or fond Matryosha was popular women name in old Russia. It became worldwide known when it got gold medal on World Exhibition in Paris in 1900. There were many clever artists those times who originated a new style in applied art of nesting dolls designing.