Thursday, 27 June 2013

From Russia with love ....

The Russian delegation, from St. Petersburg, at the S4S Finals came bearing a beautiful gift.


Does anyone know why only the largest doll has the painted smile?

I’ve seen these little dolls before, but never a set of seven. This set is so beautifully made and painted.

The team...



Their tools…



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23 comments:

  1. Leslie:27 June 2013 at 17:17

    I read your previous post, too, and must admit I'm not familiar with this type of competition. But it sure looks fascinating and a great educational tool. My friend Cathy has been to Russia several times to teach Russian teachers English and has a set of these dolls to commemorate her times there. I don't know why the first one has the smile - I guess I've never really noticed. Do YOU know?

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    1. GaynorB28 June 2013 at 22:11

      Hi Leslie,

      I don't know why, but perhaps every set is different. My daughter was given a set of 5 which my brother bought in Hungary.

      Delete
  2. Tim27 June 2013 at 18:03

    It has got to be because she's on the outside ;-)....
    And Gaynor...
    I see that a Dremmel Mini-drill is par for the course ['scuse pun!]

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    1. GaynorB28 June 2013 at 22:12

      Is that what it is? I'm surprised Tim hasn't ordered one. He is of the 'you can never have too many tools' school of thinking!!

      Delete
  3. Colin and Elizabeth27 June 2013 at 20:29

    I have a set of Russian Dolls and I have never noticed whether the outside one is smiling. (I'd be useless at an identity parade!) I'll have to take note when we are next back in the UK as my dolls haven't made the trip to France yet!

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  4. The Broad28 June 2013 at 12:01

    Exquisite!

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    1. GaynorB28 June 2013 at 22:14

      They certainly are, and fit together so beautifully.

      Delete
  5. ladybird28 June 2013 at 12:35

    I have a set too, which I bought at the Russian house in Brussels in the early 90-ties. I should have bought an original set when I was visiting the USSR in 1979 ... but I didn't. Silly me! Anyway, after reading your post I took a closer look, and mine are all smiling, even the tiny little one. Maybe the artist who made yours had a bad day! Martine

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  6. Diane29 June 2013 at 08:31

    Just typed this once and Google sent it elsewhere!!! I have a friend who brought a set back from Russia and I do not remember a smile on anyone of the 7. Perhaps though my memory is not as good as it used to be!! Keep well Diane

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  7. Craig29 June 2013 at 09:04

    I think that the number in a set is dependent upon how large the largest one is. I've seen 5, 6 an 7 and one with 8.
    No idea about the smile - I have a feeling it's down to the artist.
    I love the Russian keyboard!

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    1. GaynorB7 July 2013 at 16:47

      I was intrigued by the keyboard. The Russian kids thought I was mad to take a photograph of it.

      I'm hoping to get an invitation to visit St Petersburg and can start the hunt for an 8'er.

      Delete
  8. rusty duck6 July 2013 at 11:16

    What a lovely gift!
    The Russian keyboard reminds me of travelling around Europe in my working days and seeing Microsoft Office in many different languages. Amazingly, I could even work my way around them too. Everything in the same place... just different!

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    1. GaynorB7 July 2013 at 16:50

      Hi Rusty Duck,

      It always throws me when there is a new version of Microsoft Office and the menues change. I have different versions on my laptop and stand-alone. The French keyboard is slightly different and takes some getting used to.

      Delete
  9. Niall & Antoinette7 July 2013 at 08:56

    No idea why only the first doll smiles. We have a 'political' set which goes right back to a teeny tiny Czar Nicholas II which I bought in Sakhalin.

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    1. GaynorB7 July 2013 at 17:01

      That sounds interesting!

      Perhaps there's a gap in the market for a UK or French version.

      Who would you put in it? ;o)

      Delete
  10. ArtyZen7 July 2013 at 13:33

    Missed this one, Gaynor. I don't know the answer to the question but I have always loved those Russian Dolls. I know they're called Matryoshka because my friend's father once brought one back from Moscow many, many years ago and he insisted we learned the name!
    Axxx

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    1. GaynorB7 July 2013 at 16:59

      I'll try to remember the name as well. The dolls are beautiful and a delightful gift. We also have a set of five, which my brother brought back from either Bulgaria or Hungary, for Rhainnon.

      Delete
  11. Ankur Anand9 July 2013 at 05:07

    nice one :)

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  12. Unknown22 May 2014 at 16:42

    Masha from Russia
    If you still interesting:
    Matrioshka have a different number of dolls but never less then three, for example, there is 19 http://images.myshared.ru/502051/slide_35.jpg.
    All of Matrioshka have smile. Smile on Matrioshka started paint from russian villages girl. Them has got a big colorful lips because it seemsed as any of tipe smile on yours Matrioshka.

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  13. Unknown22 May 2014 at 16:44

    Masha from Russia

    If you are stll interesting answer:
    Matrioshka have a different number of dolls but never less then three, for example, there is 19 http://images.myshared.ru/502051/slide_35.jpg.
    All of Matrioshka have smile. Smile on Matrioshka started paint from russian villages girl. Them has got a big colorful lips because it seemsed as any of tipe smile on yours Matrioshka.

    ReplyDelete

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