Matreshka has come to us from a hoary antiquity, from the world of legends and fairy tales. Actually, this wooden doll is "only" about hundred years old. There are many versions how and when it was born, but it is known for certain that its prototypes were brightly painted Easter eggs, which Russian craftsmen turned out on a lathe and painted since olden times. They were hollow inside, and the greater egg placed inside the smaller one. The similar toy was in Japan, it represented a good-natured grey-whiskered old man Darumu and it consisted of five figures placed one into another.
In addition to the finely detailed painting, many matreshkas include a poker work. This technique of burning the wood was used to outline and further define various elements of the painting.

Kirov Nesting Dolls
Matreoshka	Matreoshka	Matreoshka
Matreoshka	Matreoshka	Matreoshka

Poker work
Architecture	Architecture	Troika
Fairy tale	Father Frost	Summer