The Best Nesting Dolls | 2023
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Our Picks For The Top Nesting Dolls
- The Best Nesting Doll
- 1. MATRYOSHKA&HANDICRAFT Wooden Unfinished Nesting Dolls, 7-Piece
- 2. YAKELUS Classic Matryoshka Nesting Dolls, 10-Piece
- 3. Starxing Traditional Russian Nesting Dolls, 7-Piece
- 4. Jeccffes Natural Wood Russian Girl Nesting Dolls, 7-Piece
- 5. Moonmo Hand Painted Penguin Nesting Dolls, 10-Piece
- 6. Maxshop Children’s Wooden Nesting Dolls, 5-Piece
- 7. Vingi Handmade Wooden Princess Nesting Dolls, 5-Piece
- 8. Bits and Pieces Willy & Friends Ocean Nesting Dolls, 5-Piece
- 9. Bits & Pieces Collectible Cats Nesting Dolls, 5-Piece
- 10. Amor Present Christmas Nutcracker Nesting Dolls, 5-Piece
- 11. Heka Naturals Owl Russian Nesting Dolls, 5-Piece
- 12. King&Light Hand Painted Nesting Dolls, 10-Piece
- 13. King&Light Handicraft Russian Nesting Dolls, 10-Piece
Easily PersonalizedThis high-quality set of nesting dolls makes for the perfect gift for the crafter in your life.
Traditional DesignThis set of nesting dolls was hand carved using just one piece of wood.
Intricate DetailThe detail in these nesting dolls sets them apart.
Most VersatileIn addition to using these nesting dolls as a decoration, they also work well as pencil holders, candy bins and toys.
The nesting doll concept has been copied across many forms over the years. Simply put a smaller object inside a larger object, then put both in an even larger object until you have multiple items “nested” together. Think of it as putting a small gift into a larger box and wrapping it, then putting both in an even larger box and wrapping it.
But there are few replacements for the classic nesting doll concept. Known as Russian nesting dolls due to their origin, these dolls are typically made of high-quality wood, varnished to protect the wood beneath. They’re hand-painted in a variety of designs, from playful sea creatures to the more classic Russian dolls and nutcrackers.
Classic nesting dolls were made with wood and hand-painted using high-quality paints. Today, you’ll find plenty of imitators that are mass-produced in a factory, so it’s important to look carefully at the quality of wood and paint that’s used. You’ll also find that many nesting dolls are a little tough to separate at first, but over time, those joints loosen up a little and you can easily stack and unstack the dolls. You just might need to work a little harder to get them apart at first.
The Best Nesting Dolls
MATRYOSHKA&HANDICRAFT Wooden Unfinished Nesting Dolls, 7-Piece
Looking for a unique family project? Grab this set of seven nesting dolls, which are made from aspen wood and left unfinished. Each family member can grab a doll and paint it to his or her liking. There's also the option to use a wood burning kit to burn a pattern onto the dolls.
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YAKELUS Classic Matryoshka Nesting Dolls, 10-Piece
These colorful Russian nesting dolls are handmade. Each of the 10 dolls feature a smiling face on the front and a series of white flowers on the back. You'll notice that the dolls were modeled using the classic 19th-century dolls of old.
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Starxing Traditional Russian Nesting Dolls, 7-Piece
You'll get seven nesting dolls in diminishing sizes, each with handmade detail painted onto its surface. The linden wood used to construct these nesting dolls is carefully tested to ensure you're getting the best quality. The design is painted using eco-friendly paint.
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Jeccffes Natural Wood Russian Girl Nesting Dolls, 7-Piece
Since these Russian nesting dolls are made from a natural wood and paint that is constructed from plant-based pigments, they don't have any unpleasant odors. They're also safe to gift to children, as well as adults. This set of seven dolls features a beautiful lady with braided hair and a stunning outfit.
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Moonmo Hand Painted Penguin Nesting Dolls, 10-Piece
Do you have a family member that loves penguins? If so, this set of 10 nesting dolls is the perfect birthday, Christmas or just-because gift. The penguin-shaped nesting dolls are constructed using a dry basswood, which is both sturdy and durable.
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Maxshop Children’s Wooden Nesting Dolls, 5-Piece
Exquisite is the best word to describe these nesting dolls. The set is constructed from natural wood and painted to resemble five different animals. The dolls are easy to open and have enough room to store jewelry and other small trinkets.
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Vingi Handmade Wooden Princess Nesting Dolls, 5-Piece
Every little girl dreams of being a princess, which is why these Russian nesting dolls make for an excellent birthday, Christmas or Easter gift. The dolls are made from a high-quality basswood and painted to resemble princesses using only safe eco-friendly paints. They're also easy for little hands to open.
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Bits and Pieces Willy & Friends Ocean Nesting Dolls, 5-Piece
This set features five different sea animals in diminishing sizes. You'll get a killer whale, a walrus, an otter, a penguin and a little puffin. The largest of these dolls measures 5-1/2 inches.
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Amor Present Christmas Nutcracker Nesting Dolls, 5-Piece
These Russian nesting dolls are hand-painted on natural wood for lasting color and quality. You'll get five dolls in diminishing sizes, each in a classic nutcracker design. These are a little tough to separate when you first take them out of the packaging, so you may want to use a little wax paper or olive oil to ease them apart.
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Heka Naturals Owl Russian Nesting Dolls, 5-Piece
You'll give five nesting dolls, each with a hand-painted depiction of an owl on it. The set is also available with a snow maiden design. Each wooden doll is painted with a varnish to protect the wood beneath, and the design is painted using high-quality paints.
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King&Light Hand Painted Nesting Dolls, 10-Piece
Known as "green sweater girl," the beautiful design on these nesting dolls sets it apart. You'll get seven nesting dolls in diminishing sizes for easy stacking. The dolls are made in China but designed to mimic the classic Russian nesting dolls concept.
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Our Nesting Doll Buying Guide
The nesting doll concept has been copied across many forms over the years. Simply put a smaller object inside a larger object, then put both in an even larger object until you have multiple items “nested” together. Think of it as putting a small gift into a larger box and wrapping it, then putting both in an even larger box and wrapping it.
But there are few replacements for the classic nesting doll concept. Known as Russian nesting dolls due to their origin, these dolls are typically made of high-quality wood, varnished to protect the wood beneath. They’re hand-painted in a variety of designs, from playful sea creatures to the more classic Russian dolls and nutcrackers.
Classic nesting dolls were made with wood and hand-painted using high-quality paints. Today, you’ll find plenty of imitators that are mass-produced in a factory, so it’s important to look carefully at the quality of wood and paint that’s used. You’ll also find that many nesting dolls are a little tough to separate at first, but over time, those joints loosen up a little and you can easily stack and unstack the dolls. You just might need to work a little harder to get them apart at first.
DWYM Fun Fact
Russian nesting dolls are also known as Matryoshka dolls, a word coming from the Latin word “mater,” which means “mother.” The origin of these dolls has been traced all the way back to 1890, when Vasilii Zvyozdochkin made the first set. As the story goes, Zvyozdochkin set out to make a toy that had other toys hidden inside it. So he created the first set of nesting dolls, which featured a woman holding a rooster.
Nesting dolls first gained recognition in 1900, when they were presented at Paris’s Exposition Universelle. It won the Bronze medal at that exposition and soon after, the dolls became popular.
The Nesting Doll Tips and Advice
- Nesting dolls can be tough to pry open at first. If you’re having trouble use something like soap or olive oil to lubricate the area you’re trying to separate. Don’t force it too much since that can crack or damage the wood.
- If you’re buying nesting dolls for a kid, you may find that a set that depicts fun characters like animals goes over better than the classic nutcracker or doll.
- The designs on some nesting dolls are more intricate than others. You’ll find some that feature great detail and ornamentation. This painstaking detail can stand out to someone who is truly interested in collecting nesting dolls.
- Nesting dolls can come in a variety of configurations. Five is a popular number, but you can find nesting dolls with seven dolls in diminishing sizes.
- The smallest nesting dolls are fairly tiny, so if you’re buying for a younger person, keep in mind that these small dolls can be a choking hazard.
- Although you can easily purchase nesting dolls in classic designs, truly classic nesting dolls are collectors’ items. If you stumble upon such an item, it could be worth thousands of dollars. Higher-value classic dolls were made in Russia and are more than 20 years old.
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About The Author
Stephanie Faris is a novelist and business writer whose work has appeared on numerous blogs. She worked for the State of Tennessee for 19 years, the latter six of which were spent as a supervisor. She has written content for entrepreneurs and marketing firms since 2011. In addition to her online content, she is also the author of eight novels for Simon & Schuster, including the Piper Morgan chapter book series.
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