Painted Doll Appraisal

Hand-Painted Russian Matryoshka Doll

This item is the top half of a hand-painted Russian Matryoshka doll, also known as a nesting doll. It appears to be made from wood, a traditional material for these dolls, and is finished with a smooth, glossy lacquer or varnish. The doll features a dark blue background color embellished with intricate floral and scrollwork designs. The primary floral motif consists of large, multi-petaled pink flowers with green leaves and small orange and white accents, suggesting a rose or peony. White and light grey swirling scroll patterns fill the spaces between the flowers, providing a delicate contrast against the dark background. The doll's 'face' is painted on a light, flesh-toned oval, featuring large blue eyes with long black lashes, defined eyebrows, and a small, red, smiling mouth. A red and gold pattern adorns the forehead, suggesting a headdress or crown. The craftsmanship appears to be of good quality, with fine brushwork visible in the detailed patterns. There are no visible signs of significant wear, damage, or repairs, and the paintwork seems vibrant and intact, indicating good preservation. The typical style period for such intricately painted Matryoshka dolls ranges from the late 19th century to contemporary pieces, but without further markings or context, precise dating is challenging. The slight visible ring or base at the bottom suggests it is designed to fit onto a lower half of the doll, characteristic of a nesting doll. The overall aesthetic is traditional Russian folk art.