Bilibin Fairy Tale Doll 10pc./10"

Artist Ivan Bilibin gained fame around the turn of the century for his imaginative style of illustrating Russian fairy tales. His work lives on today in collectors’ books, and on this reversible nesting doll: scenes are painted on the back as well as the front, to make 20 illustrations in all! Such a doll is a true artifact of Russian culture. A personal favorite. W/ info sheet.

Production Techniques: Hand Painting. This doll was carved in the Upper Volga region, then delivered to the Golden Cockerel workshop in St. Petersburg, Russia. Our artists painstakingly hand paint every detail, beginning with backgrounds and moving to the finer elements that require a brush of very select Siberian squirrel hair. It is daunting to think of the time and talent invested in each of the nesting pieces! Finally we baptize each doll in multiple layers of non-toxic water-based lacquer to make a marvelous matryoshka that will delight children and collectors. The bottom of the largest doll gets stamped with Golden Cockerel’s “Made in Russia” mark of quality, initialed by the artist, and dated like a true collectible. We can only hope you will give it a good home.

“You cannot break a wall with your forehead.” –Russian Proverb