Featured Nesting Dolls......how old? Where from??

Same box of dishes.....another find!! Was given these when I was about 6 years old, and from their condition I'd say I didn't play with them too much, but I DO remember playing with them SOME!! There are no markings of any sort on them AT ALL, in closing one on the other - they have always fit poorly, but I never lost a one!!!!! My parents were great ones for FAO Schwarz, so I don't know if they could have come from there or not....as I said, no markings of any sort.....although the next to smallest figure is pretty oriental looking!! Any suggestions???

 

Those are cuter than most you see.

 

I'm guessing they were new when you got them. You probably know that most of these are made in Russia (or Soviet Union, depending on the era). But the ones I have seen from there are usually marked in some way, or the artist's name is painted on them. It's quite possible that these were made elsewhere but I really don't know.

 

Well, I've looked them over pretty thoroughly, and find no indication of any kind of a signature........they're from about 1947-48 (haha.....watch the guys do the calculating!!!!). I would love it if they were Russian, but still have no clue!!! Thanks Fig & Cluttered for your input!!! Guess they may remain a mystery!!!!

 

Were we importing from Russia at that time?

 

Not Russia. The Soviet Union and would have been from start of Cold War.

Debora

 

And I didn't mention that they don't "look Russian" to me. But I've never seen Soviet ones from the 40s. These people look a little too happy for that era!

 

Here's an early set from the Soviet Union for comparison.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/121795655/vintage-set-of-7-russian-nesting-dolls

Debora

 

Thanks Debora for the comparison.......those are quite nice......guess I'm not thinking mine are Soviet/Russian.......would have been nice to know, but with NO markings and no indications from the painting......another mystery!!!!! Batting 100 so far???

 

I don't see any reason to assume they're not Russian. A traditional craft-form after all. And costumes are correct.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matryoshka_doll

Debora

 

If those were USSR era, I'd have expected to see them marked with the price and USSR. Might possibly have been a paper label though. Tourist ware like this was certainly made then and sold in places like GUM.

 

My thoughts as well.
Their faces almost look like Disney characters. Japan? Japan was copying everyone. Or German, maybe.

 

Like Fig has said, their eyes certainly aren't the traditional Russian Matryoshka, nesting dolls, eyes - big and dark.

>Disney characters<

My thoughts were also cartoon or early comic strip features. The closest I've come to this look of eyes, facial features, are Polish nesting dolls - mind you, certainly not identical.

--- Susan

Scroll about 1/2 way down page for the following pic of Polish nesting dolls:
http://blog.teacollection.com/history-of-nesting-dolls




https://www.pinterest.com/pin/285837907575105006/

 

Wait!! Here's another set of what appear to be identical dolls. The seller is calling them Polish saying they have "Made In Poland" on the bottom.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-pc-Vintag...629805?hash=item41b9f3b12d:g:lKMAAOSwImRYHmF5

--- Susan

 

Good work, as usual, Susan!