Geography in dolls: traditions of the country from Moscow to Buryatia at the Department Store RUSSIA

---

The Department Store of the National Centre RUSSIA presents a collection of dolls and clay toys that "draw" a map of the country — from the Lipetsk Region and Kirov to Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kuzbass and the Republic of Buryatia. Exploring traditional doll-making becomes a conceptual continuation of the exposition "Geography Lessons". It is a way of discovering Russia not through maps and atlases, but through folk crafts and national traditions.

From the Lipetsk Region, Romanov clay whistle toys have arrived at the Department Store. The "Romanov Toy" craft originated in the 17th century near the village of Romanovo and is now recognised as part of Russia’s intangible cultural heritage. Each figure is handmade from white clay, goes through a multi-stage drying process and kiln firing, and is then decorated with incisions, engraving and painting in two or three colours. No two toys are alike — each is a unique work by a master.

Another well-known folk craft is the Dymkovo toy from Kirov. Bright red clay mixed with river sand, several days of drying, firing, whitening and painting in vivid colours give rise to figures of elegant ladies in full skirts, water carriers with shoulder yokes, riders, birds and animals. Simple geometric patterns and golden accents make Dymkovo characters instantly recognisable. These toys have long become a symbol of the Vyatka region and are widely used in children’s creativity — visitors can explore them more closely at the National Centre RUSSIA.

The Moscow tradition is embodied in matryoshka dolls. The display features figures that continue the line established at the end of the 19th century in the "Children’s Education" workshop, where artist Sergei Malyutin and woodturner Vasily Zvyozdochkin created the first example of this folk craft. The blanks are still turned from linden wood, polished, dried, painted and varnished. Whether depicting traditional girls in sarafans, fairy-tale characters or themed series, each doll acquires its own character through painting. The nested structure symbolises family hierarchy and the idea of continuity.

Author-made porcelain dolls from Saint Petersburg are created entirely by the craftsmen of the enterprise. From casting and firing the parts at temperatures above 1200 °C to hand-painting the faces and tailoring the costumes. The collection includes characters in national costumes of the peoples of Russia, military uniforms, historical outfits from different eras and images of fairy-tale heroes. The enterprise is included in the federal register of folk arts and crafts and brings together several professions — sculptors, painters, designers and tailors.

The geography continues in the Kemerovo Region — Kuzbass. Textile dolls are produced here using artificial fur and traditional decorations. Their creator, Natalia Shelbogasheva, carefully works on clothing and accessories: the costumes can be removed, and the details reflect the Siberian climate and local customs.

Buryat dolls in national costumes reflect the nomadic way of life and the harsh climate of the Baikal region. The costumes feature elements of traditional Buryat attire — a conical hat with fur trim, the "enger" chest piece with coloured stripes, and motifs connected with Mongolian culture.

Together, these dolls and toys turn the Department Store RUSSIA stand into a small "map" of folk crafts. Each point represents its own region, language, costume and a unique way of telling a story about people through toys.

The Department Store continues the narrative of the exposition "Geography Lessons". While the halls of the National Centre RUSSIA show how borders and routes have changed on maps, here visitors can see how the country’s geography is reflected in doll imagery created by craftsmen from Moscow to the Republic of Buryatia.