Nestling Doll Appraisal

Matryoshka Doll

This is a hand-painted wooden Matryoshka doll, also commonly known as a Russian nesting doll. It is cylindrical with a rounded top, typical of the outermost doll in a set. The doll features a pale yellow or cream base color, serving as a canvas for the vibrant hand-painted details. The top half depicts the face of a woman, characterized by large, expressive eyes with intricate black eyelashes and eyebrows, a small red mouth, and delicate blush on the cheeks. She is adorned with an orange headscarf, from which reddish-pink hair peeks out, and a yellow collar is painted around her neck. The lower body of the doll is richly decorated with traditional Russian folk art floral patterns. Prominent features include large, colorful flowers in shades of orange and red, complemented by dark green or black leaves and smaller accent blooms in purple and blue. The overall style is consistent with traditional Russian craftsmanship, showcasing fine brushwork and attention to detail. The doll appears to be in good condition, with no visible chips, cracks, or significant paint loss. The colors remain vibrant, and the protective glossy lacquer finish is intact. A significant manufacturing detail is the Cyrillic marking found on the doll, which translates to "Deg 5-41 Matryoshka local Price 3.50". This inscription provides crucial insight into its origin, potentially indicating a production date (e.g., mid-20th century, if '41' refers to 1941 or a 1950s product code), its 'local' production style, and its historical price. The combination of artistry, traditional motifs, and the specific marking makes this a charming and historically informative piece of Russian folk art.