The present edition familiarizes the readers with the origin, development and art of creating the world-famous and undoubtedly the most popular Russian doll—matryoshka. Together with the narration about the leading traditional matryoshka-making craft centers located in the Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod and Kirov regions, the book gives exhaustive information about almost forgotten small centers specialized in the decoration of matryoshkas. The author also analyzes such a bright phenomenon of the latest decades as the author's matryoshka with a typical variety of artistic and technological techniques used by modern talented masters. Rich illustrations are presented by the Sergiev Posad History and Art Museum-Reserve, Pedagogical and Art Museum of Toy in Sergiev Posad and also by private collectors. The majority of works are published for the first time.
