Semenov matrioshka

Semenov (also known as Semionov or Semyonov) is a town not far from Nizhny Novgorod city, the administrative centre of Nizhegorod oblast (region) in western Russia. The city lies at the confluence of the Volga and Oka rivers, 260 miles (420 km) east of Moscow. Matryoshka making in Semenov started as a family business in 1922. In 1931 an artel (a group of craftsmen working together) was established, which made Russian souvenirs including nesting dolls.

The Semenov style

Semenov's traditions go back to the floral ornament of ancient Russia. The painters of Semenov use aniline dyes. They leave quite a lot of undecorated space and varnish matryoshkas. First of all, light touches of the brush mark the outlines of the face, eyes, the lines of the lips and apply colour to the cheeks. Then a skirt, an apron, a scarf on the matryoshka's head and hands are drawn.

An apron is considered to be the main thing in painting of Semenov. A bright bouquet of flowers is painted on it. It is possible to recognise the technique of old Russian masters. The early stacking dolls of Semenov were more in the spirit of old Russian painting traditions, the lines were more graphic and lighter. Later the bouquet became more dense, colourful and graphic. At present, three colours predominate in the decorations - red, yellow, green and blue that appear in various combinations in the scarf, sarafan and apron. The colour solution of the bouquet is the main feature in the babushka dolls of Semenov. It sets the tone for the whole colour scheme. Traditionally, the bouquet is painted on the apron asymmetrically, a bit to the right of the centre.

The matryoshkas of Semenov are famous for containing many pieces, often 15 - 20 dolls. The biggest babushka dolls containing 72 pieces 0.5 m (1.5 feet) in diameter and 1 m (3 feet) high were turned in Semenov.