Dolls In Dolls · Est. 2006 · Australia’s largest dedicated store
The matryoshka doll — Russia’s most iconic folk art
Every genuine matryoshka doll is hand-turned from linden wood and painted by artisans in the Russian villages where the craft was born — over 130 years ago and still today. We bring them to Australia.
The craft behind every doll
How a matryoshka doll is made
The matryoshka doll was born around 1890 near Moscow, believed to have been inspired by a Japanese nesting figure brought back from the island of Honshu. Within a decade, the craftsmen of Sergiev Posad had made it their own — and the tradition has never left Russia since.
Every genuine matryoshka begins as a section of linden wood, chosen for its softness and fine grain. From there it passes through the hands of a turner, a sander, a primer, and finally a painter — who may spend days on a single collector piece. The smallest doll inside is always painted first, working outward, so each figure nests precisely inside the next.
At Dolls In Dolls, we source directly from these same village workshops — Semenov, Kirov, Vyatka, Nolinsk, and Zagorsk — so every matryoshka doll you receive carries an unbroken chain of craft.
Woodturning
Linden wood is turned on a lathe to create each nesting figure — from the largest shell down to the tiniest solid innermost piece. Each must fit the next with precision.
Sanding & priming
The raw wood is sanded smooth and primed with a starch solution, sealing the grain and creating a perfect surface for paint to adhere to without bleeding.
Hand-painting — inside out
Painting always starts with the smallest, innermost doll and works outward. A single matryoshka painter may spend their whole career perfecting one regional style.
Lacquering
Multiple coats of lacquer protect the paintwork and give matryoshka dolls their characteristic warm lustre. Collector pieces may receive six or more coats, hand-polished between each.
Browse by collection
Every style of matryoshka doll
4,000+ matryoshka dolls across every style, size, and tradition. Browse by collection to find yours.
The most loved matryoshka style in Australia. Vibrant hand-painted florals from miniature 3-piece sets to giant 30-piece statements.
Browse floral Traditional MatryoshkaSemenov, Vyatka, Kirov, Nolinsk — authentic regional matryoshka styles from the historic artisan villages of Russia.
Browse traditional Museum Quality MatryoshkaOne-of-a-kind limited editions and collector sets — the finest matryoshka dolls ever made, for serious collectors and heirloom gifts.
Browse museum quality Celebrity MatryoshkaMovies, music, famous faces — pop culture reimagined as matryoshka dolls. A conversation piece and a unique gift.
Browse celebrity Animal Matryoshka DollsBears, foxes, owls, cats — wildlife subjects painted in the classic matryoshka tradition. Beloved by children and collectors alike.
Browse animals Blank Matryoshka to PaintUnpainted linden wood matryoshka dolls, ready to decorate. A perfect Montessori activity, school craft project, or creative gift.
Browse DIY craft Mini Matryoshka SetsTiny matryoshka dolls that sit on a fingertip — the same craft, the same care, at an astonishing scale. 7 and 10-piece sets available.
Browse mini Woodburn MatryoshkaPyrography matryoshka dolls with intricate scorched detail — an earthy, contemporary alternative to the classic painted style.
Browse woodburnFive villages, five traditions
Russia’s matryoshka doll regions
Each Russian artisan village developed its own distinct matryoshka style — recognisable by palette, motif, and technique. We stock all five.
Bold red, black and gold florals on a pale ground. Russia’s most iconic matryoshka style — over a century old and still the benchmark.
Shop Semenov Vyatka ВяткаDelicate straw inlay and pale blue accents. The Vyatka matryoshka is immediately recognisable for its subtle, refined decoration.
Shop Vyatka Nolinsk НолинскA quieter tradition from the Kirov region — earthy tones and folk motifs that feel rooted in Russian village life.
Shop Nolinsk Kirov КировWarm ochre and terracotta tones with scenes of village life. Kirov matryoshka dolls are rich in narrative and folk character.
Shop Kirov Zagorsk ЗагорскNow known as Sergiev Posad — the cradle of the matryoshka doll. Rounder figures, softer colours, and the oldest lineage of all.
Shop ZagorskCurator’s picks
Three matryoshka doll collections not to miss
Handpicked by Natasha & Masha — the pieces that best show what a matryoshka doll can be.
The rarest matryoshka dolls in our collection — fairy tales, folk heroes, and scenes from Russian village life painted over weeks by a single artisan hand.
II The classic Semenov — the matryoshka doll that defined a traditionBold red and gold on white, originating in the Nizhny Novgorod workshops over a century ago. The Semenov matryoshka is the one the world pictures when it hears the name.
III Tiny wonders Mini Matryoshka — the craft at fingertip scaleA matryoshka doll small enough to balance on your fingertip, painted with the same care as our largest collector pieces. A marvel of woodturning precision.
“A matryoshka doll is never just one thing. That’s the whole point — and the whole joy.”
— Natasha & Masha, Your Babushka Elves · Est. 2006
Frequently asked
Matryoshka doll questions answered
What does matryoshka mean?
Matryoshka (матрёшка) is the traditional Russian name for the nesting doll, believed to derive from the Russian name Matryona — a common rural women’s name rooted in the Latin mater, meaning mother. The name reflects the doll’s central image: a mother holding her children within.
Is matryoshka the same as babushka?
Yes — matryoshka and babushka describe the same object. Matryoshka is the traditional Russian word; babushka (meaning grandmother) has become the common name in Australia and the English-speaking world. Both refer to the hand-painted wooden nesting dolls from Russia.
Where were matryoshka dolls invented?
The first matryoshka doll is believed to have been crafted around 1890 in Sergiev Posad (then called Zagorsk) near Moscow. The design was inspired by a Japanese nesting figure, but the painted folk-art style was entirely Russian from the beginning.
What wood is used for matryoshka dolls?
Linden wood (also called lime wood) is the traditional choice — soft enough to turn cleanly on a lathe, fine-grained enough to paint with precision, and durable enough to last for generations. Birch and alder are also occasionally used.
How many pieces are in a matryoshka doll?
A classic matryoshka contains 3 or 5 nesting figures. Our 7–30 piece sets offer a much larger unboxing experience. Mini sets of 7 and 10 tiny figures are also available.
Are your matryoshka dolls genuinely Russian-made?
Yes — every matryoshka doll we stock is sourced directly from artisan workshops in Russia. We do not sell Chinese or Indian-made imitations. This is what makes Dolls In Dolls different from most Australian retailers of matryoshka dolls.
Can I get a matryoshka doll personalised?
We don’t offer custom-painted matryoshka dolls, but our unpainted matryoshka blanks are perfect for decorating yourself — a popular choice for craft projects, schools, and creative gifts.
What is the most valuable matryoshka doll?
Collector-grade matryoshka dolls can reach significant values. Our museum quality limited editions — particularly the 10–30 piece collector sets painted by a single master artisan — represent the finest matryoshka dolls available in Australia.
Genuinely Russian-made
Every matryoshka doll sourced directly from artisan workshops in Russia — Semenov, Kirov, Vyatka, Zagorsk, Nolinsk. No factory imitations.
Hand-painted by artisans
Each matryoshka doll is painted entirely by hand, beginning with the smallest inner figure and working outward. No two are exactly alike.
Free shipping Australia-wide
Standard delivery free on all matryoshka dolls. Express Post just $5.95. NZ $13. Rest of world $25. Fast dispatch from our Australian warehouse.
10,000+ happy customers
Twenty years finding Australians their perfect matryoshka doll. Read our reviews →