The famous roly-poly doll: a festive symbol of the Department Store of the National Centre RUSSIA
The winter season has begun at our Department Store. Visitors to the National Centre RUSSIA are invited on a journey back to childhood, filled with warmth and cherished memories. The central art object is the roly-poly doll ("nevalyashka") – a toy that has carried a thread of continuity across generations, from adults to children, from the past to the present. The roly-poly doll is also one of the most recognisable cultural symbols of our country.
From "tumbler" to roly-poly doll
A roly-poly doll is a toy that always returns to an upright position, no matter how far it is tilted or even dropped. Prototypes of such toys existed in various cultures. In Japan, for instance, there is the traditional daruma doll, which also returns to its original position, symbolises perseverance and is believed to bring wishes to life.
A precursor of the modern roly-poly doll was brought to Russia by merchants in the 19th century. In the Nizhny Novgorod region, the doll was crafted from wood and papier-mache, painted in a bright red colour and known as "kuvyrkashki" or "kuvyrkany". The familiar name "roly-poly doll" ("nevalyashka") appeared a little later. In the 1890s, wooden toys entered mass production in Sergiev Posad, including the early roly-poly dolls.
The iconic image – a rounded body, a weighted base and a smiling face – emerged during the Soviet era. In the 1950s, the Zagorsk Toy Factory (now the Sergiyev Posad Toy Factory) created the classic and globally recognisable roly-poly doll wearing a red sarafan and white headscarf.
A symbol of optimism
At first glance, a roly-poly doll seems like an ordinary children’s toy. Yet it carries a deeper meaning: its smile and bright clothing represent optimism and vitality. Its ability to return to an upright position made it a metaphor for resilience and faith in the future. Unwavering and cheerful even when knocked over, the roly-poly doll symbolised determination, inner strength and the will to win in the Soviet Union. In psychology and education, it is used as a symbol of stability and emotional balance, as well as for developing motor skills in young children.
In contemporary interpretations, the roly-poly doll preserves its original meaning while gaining new ones: continuity between generations, respect for tradition, affection for children and enduring family values.
The roly-poly doll as a modern brand
Today, the roly-poly doll is not only a classic figure but also a whole range of variations. At the factory where its production once began, more than 30 versions of the toy are now available. Modern designers create roly-poly dolls in diverse styles: traditional, decorated with national motifs or stylised as cartoon characters.
The image of the roly-poly doll appears in design, advertising and expositions and is widely represented in popular culture. In 2018, a roly-poly doll adorned with FIFA symbols became one of the bestselling souvenirs of the FIFA World Cup hosted in Russia. Thanks to a collaboration between the Department Store of the National Centre RUSSIA and fashion designers, this traditional children’s toy has also become a style element. Such an interpretation blurs the line between naïve childhood ornamentation and high fashion, offering a fresh perspective on familiar things.
The roly-poly doll has outgrown children’s play and become part of clothing, accessories and household items. It is more than a tribute to the past – it is a conscious use of a symbol that carries positivity and preserves warm memories. It is a cultural emblem uniting tradition and optimism. Today, the roly-poly doll continues to delight and inspire both children and adults across Russia, remaining relevant and recognisable throughout the world.
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