Set of 6 Wooden Russian Matryoshka Hand Painted Nesting Dolls Mother & Children

This is a set of 6 traditional Russian nesting dolls, also known as Matryoshka dolls. These are a set of wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside another. They are a popular souvenir and a symbol of Russia itself. The name "matryoshka" translates to "little matron" and is a common shortening of the old Russian name Matryona. The dolls symbolize the fertility of the mother and her role as the protector and caretaker of the family. The dolls are also a symbol of the strong female matriarch in the Russian family and represent motherhood, fertility, family unity, and the continuity of generations. The largest doll usually represents the mother, containing her children within her.  Matryoshka dolls are typically made from soft woods like lime or birch, hand-carved on a lathe, hand-painted, and finished with lacquer.  ***In good vintage condition; not mint.***