Most Valuable Russian Nesting Dolls
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Everyone’s got Russian dolls on their mind with the release of of Netflix’s "Russian Doll" series. But while the TV show uses Russian doll iconography to explore the recursive, non-Euclidean structure of the human psyche, hobbyists use Russian dolls as, well, collectibles.
Russian dolls are a form of Russian folk art, originating in the 1890s. But they didn’t get really popular on a global scale until the 1970s, '80s, and '90s. Today, you can find all sorts of Russian dolls in antique stores and online. The really valuable ones are signed by the artist.
These are some of the most valuable Russian nesting dolls on the market that have appeared on eBay and other auction sites.
Russian Dolls by Frolova
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Year: 1970s
Pieces: 5
Size: 7 inches
Sold: April 8, 2022
Value: $155
Bottom Line: Russian Dolls by Frolova
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Although this set of Russian dolls is fairly small, it’s valuable due to its age (the 1970s) and the fact that it’s been signed by an artist.
Each of the dolls doesn’t just have a face but also depicts a scene from classic Russian stories.
Folk Art 1990s Russian Dolls
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Year: 1990s
Pieces: 7
Size: 8.75 inches
Sold: April 24, 2022
Value: $178
Bottom Line: Folk Art 1990s Russian Dolls
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An incredibly beautiful set from the '90s, this set is primarily valuable because it was hand-painted and is in very good condition despite its age.
A series of mystical, folk art paintings decorate the figurines.
Hand-Painted Russian Dolls From 1969
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Year: 1969
Pieces: 12
Size: 10 inches
Sold: March 2, 2022
Value: $200
Bottom Line: Hand-Painted Russian Dolls From 1969
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These attractive dolls were manufactured in the 1960s, making them already more collectible than most.
The smallest doll is less than 3/4 an inch, and the entire 12-piece set has been hand-painted.
This set isn’t as ornate as some of the others, but it makes up for it in its age.
Russian Fairy-Tale Dolls
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Year: 1990s
Pieces: 10
Size: 9.5 inches
Sold: March 21, 2022
Value: $210 (Asked)
Bottom Line: Russian Fairy-Tale Dolls
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You may have noticed that many of these dolls come from the 1990s. The '90s weren’t just a heyday for Russian dolls, but one of the last times Russian dolls were generally hand-painted.
Today, most of the Russian dolls you’ll encounter will be printed or otherwise factory manufactured.
Hand-Painted Teal Russian Dolls
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Year: 1990s
Pieces: 15
Size: 10 inches
Sold: April 11, 2021
Value: $225 (Asked)
Bottom Line: Hand-Painted Teal Russian Dolls
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It can be hard to price dolls that aren’t signed and don’t have an artist attached. In this case, these dolls are relatively valuable because they are old, in good condition, and fairly unique.
The more ornately painted a doll is, the more likely it is to be worth money — and it has to be hand-painted.
Pyrography Set by Mila Chmeleva
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Year: New
Pieces: 5
Size: 5 inches
Sold: March 13, 2022
Value: $315
Bottom Line: Pyrography Set by Mila Chmeleva
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This authentic and quirky series of dolls was made within the Russian Federation.
The nesting dolls feature whimsical, blonde, blue-eyed girls holding an assortment of flowers, watering cans and other small items.
Snow Dwarfs From Poland
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Year: 1970s
Pieces: 9
Size: Varies
Sold: March 13, 2022
Value: $332
Bottom Line: Snow Dwarfs From Poland
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Take a look at this unique variation on the traditional Russian doll. From Poland, this 1970s nine-piece set actually includes multiple figurines that are the same size.
These all stack inside of the "mother" doll. This variation was briefly popular and is rarely seen.
Eskimo Family by Olga Shiryaeva
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Year: 1990s
Pieces: 7
Size: 9 inches
Sold: March 13, 2022
Value: $345
Bottom Line: Eskimo Family by Olga Shiryaeva
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Although the exact date is unknown, this whimsical Eskimo family was designed by Olga Shiryaeva sometime in the '90s. Due to its documentation, this doll comes with provenance—which undoubtedly increases its value.
And although "Eskimo" isn’t always the preferred term today, the paintings in this collection are quite thoughtful and warm.
Large Handmade 30-Piece Matryoshka Nesting Dolls
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Year: New
Pieces: 30
Size: 18 inches
Sold: April 22, 2022
Value: $599
Bottom Line: Large Handmade 30-Piece Matryoshka Nesting Dolls
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Nesting dolls are art. But even new nesting dolls can be imminently collectible. With this Russian nesting doll set, the value is primarily in the sheer number of pieces.
The set starts at 18-inch large and contains a total of 30 pieces.
Confusion of Feelings by Stepan and Yelena Goryachy
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Year: 1990s
Pieces: 5
Size: 7 inches
Sold: Dec. 31, 2021
Value: $725
Bottom Line: Confusion of Feelings by Stepan and Yelena Goryachy
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This incredible five-piece Russian doll set was painted by artists Stepan and Yelena Goryachy. Highly collectible (and signed), these dolls are in excellent condition considering their age.
Each depicts a beautiful, elegant woman draped in fine clothes.
Nutcracker Scenes by Smirnova
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Year: Unknown
Pieces: 10
Size: 12 inches
Sold: April 24, 2022
Value: $825
Bottom Line: Nutcracker Scenes by Smirnova
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A 10-piece Russian doll set depicting scenes from "The Nutcracker." Signed by the artist Smirnova, it is valuable in part because it is an authentic Russian doll set from Russia.
Today, not all Russian dolls are actually produced in Russia — which can diminish their value.
Cinderella (Variation) by Julia Talman
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Year: 1990s
Pieces: 7
Size: 9.5 inches
Sold: Feb. 23, 2022
Value: $875 (Asked)
Bottom Line: Cinderella (Variation) by Julia Talman
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Julia Talman has produced multiple variants of the "Cinderella" story. In this one, we are shown the cast of the Cinderella fairy tale.
While others feature Cinderella as the largest model, this one shows Cinderella caring for her stepmother or one of her stepsisters as the largest model.
Cinderella (Variation) by Julia Talman
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Year: 1990s
Pieces: 7
Size: 8.5 inches
Sold: Feb. 2, 2022
Value: $875 (Asked)
Bottom Line: Cinderella (Variation) by Julia Talman
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An elegant fairy-tale display, this set of seven dolls by Julia Talman shows off her ornate and delicate painting style.
Characters and scenes from the popular fairy tale are depicted across the dolls, including Cinderella herself and her midnight escape.
Traditional Russian Nesting Dolls
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Year: Unknown
Pieces: 7
Size: 5.5 inches
Sold: Nov. 16, 2014
Value: $1,400
Bottom Line: Traditional Russian Nesting Dolls
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Although they are fairly simple, these dolls are robust examples of folk art. Each doll is an entirely unique character as well as a hand-painted figurine.
Not only is this charming, but it would probably be even more valuable with an artist’s signature.
Fairytales Russian Nesting Dolls
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Year: Unknown
Pieces: 30
Size: 17.5 inches
Sold: May 31, 2018
Value: $1,400
Bottom Line: Fairytales Russian Nesting Dolls
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An interesting example of a set that actually depreciated in value. This 30-piece set was originally sold for $5,000 in Alaska, but later sold for $1,400 in auction.
This is likely because even though the art is lovely, it doesn’t have an artist’s signature or provenance.
The Story of the Bible by Larisa Chulkova
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Year: Unknown
Pieces: 10
Size: 10 inches
Sold: Jan. 18, 2021
Value: $1,650 (Asked)
Bottom Line: The Story of the Bible by Larisa Chulkova
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The artist Larisa Chulkova has designed and hand-painted many lovely religious Russian dolls, and this is no exception.
This is a one-of-a-kind set that is highly collectible, with the smallest doll signed by Chulkova herself.
The Rain by Stepan Goryachy
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Year: 1990s
Pieces: 5
Size: 7 inches
Sold: Feb. 2, 2022
Value: $1,750 (Asked)
Bottom Line: The Rain by Stepan Goryachy
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This lovely '90s set of Russian dolls displays extremely intricate painting and patterns. Each of them is filled with delightful, detailed religious iconography.
Many Russian dolls are spiritual in nature. This one is no exception.
Large Set of Hand Painted Dolls
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Year: 2000
Pieces: 50
Size: 21 inches
Sold: April 15, 2014
Value: $1,800
Bottom Line: Large Set of Hand Painted Dolls
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This is perhaps one of the largest doll sets ever in existence. The large set of hand-painted dolls has a total of 50 dolls from 21 inches to, well, much smaller.
All of them were hand-painted and designed somewhere around 2000.
Religious Iconography Russian Dolls
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Year: Unknown
Pieces: 29
Size: 15 inches
Sold: March 27, 2022
Value: $5,000
Bottom Line: Religious Iconography Russian Dolls
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This set of Russian dolls may be one of the most impressive ever seen. With nearly 30 dolls spanning from 13 inches to 0.25 inches, this gorgeous set depicts a series of religious events and icons.
Unique to this set is that it is not fully painted and allows some of the wood grain to show through.
What Are Russian Dolls Called?
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Russian dolls can be called Russian nesting dolls or Matryoshka dolls. When they were first created, the Russian nesting doll only had two or three dolls.
Today, you can get sets up to 30 or 50 dolls deep.
What Do Russian Dolls Symbolize?
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These nesting dolls are frequently spiritual or social in nature.
Historically, they have represented virtues and traditional values, such as caring for the elderly, having children, and even searching for the hidden meaning of life.
Are Russian Dolls Valuable?
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Russian dolls can be valued from $10 to $5,000 or more, depending on their age, painting, and provenance.
If you find a signed Russian doll from before the 1990s, it's likely that it is worth something.
Contemporary Russian dolls are rarely valuable unless they are exceptionally well-made.