Every babushka
holds a world within
4,000+ authentic babushka dolls hand-painted by master artisans — from classic matryoshka nesting dolls to rare museum-quality 1-of-1 pieces. No two are ever alike.
Find your perfect babushka
Every babushka doll tells its own story. Browse by collection to find yours.
Stories inside stories
Three collections that capture the spirit of what makes a babushka extraordinary.
“By shopping here, you’re helping keep our little family-run magic alive.”
We’re Natasha & Masha — and since 2006 we’ve been Australia’s most dedicated babushka doll specialists. What began as a passion for authentic Russian folk art has grown into a home for over 4,000 individually hand-painted nesting dolls, sourced directly from the artisan villages where the tradition lives.
Every babushka we stock is genuine — no mass-produced imitations, no compromises on craft. When you open one of our dolls, you’re holding the work of a master painter and a tradition over a century old.
What is a babushka doll?
Matryoshka or Babushka?
Both names describe the same beloved object. Matryoshka (матрёшка) is the traditional Russian name, derived from the Latin mater, meaning mother. Babushka (бабушка) means grandmother, and has become the common term in Australia and the English-speaking world.
How are they made?
Each doll is turned from linden wood on a lathe, sanded, primed, and hand-painted by artisans — often across multiple generations of the same family. The painting begins on the innermost doll and works outward, so each piece fits precisely inside the next.
How many dolls nest inside?
Anywhere from 3 to 30. Our 7–30 piece sets offer a wonderful unboxing experience, while a classic 3-piece traditional babushka makes a beautiful everyday collectible.
A story 130 years in the making
The first matryoshka doll is believed to have been created around 1890 near Moscow, inspired by a Japanese nesting figure. Within a decade they had captured the imagination of the world.
Today, the finest dolls still come from the same Russian villages. Each has its own signature palette, pattern, and personality.
At Dolls in Dolls, we source directly from these workshops so every piece you receive carries that unbroken chain of craft.