Valentina's nest dolls

Valentina Johnson migrated from Russia  to NZ in 2003. There is  a

collection of Russian nest dolls at Valentina's  home in Napier.

Valentina how many nest dolls do you have in your collection here in Napier?

“There are 15 nest dolls in the collection.”

Where is a birthplace of the first Russian  nest dolls?

“The birthplace of the first Russian nest doll is Sergiev Posad.”

Which characters are portrayed by the the first nest dolls?

The first nest dolls of  Sergiev Posad portrayed young girls dressed in Russian sarafans (Central  Russian costume)  carrying baskets,  bunches of flowers or dressed in winter short fur coats and scarves.”

Do children  play with nest dolls,  or are they ornaments?

“These dolls are now just ornaments, but not in all homes. As a little girl I loved playing  with nest dolls.”

 
Hawke's Bay Doll and Toy Chronicle Issue 1 Spring 2010