【Extremely Rare, Masterpiece】Sergei Koblov Matryoshka Dolls, 5-Piece Set (Signed by Artist)

This is a matryoshka doll with original signatures by Russian masters Sergei Koblov and Larisa Agarkova, purchased over 10 years ago at a matryoshka specialty store in Kobe.

It was the first natural-style matryoshka I encountered. I was captivated by the gentle coloring and brushwork that allowed the wood grain to show through, and decided to purchase it. It can be used not only for display but also for storing small items like needles and thread.

[About this work]
Mr. Koblov is a master artist said to have elevated the traditional Russian technique of wood burning to an art form. If you look closely at the surface, you can see that the outlines and intricate patterns are meticulously burned one by one with a pyrography tool. The warm colors, which allow the wood grain to show through, appear to be made from natural dyes he mixed himself, and the doll has a matte, smooth texture.

[The story depicted]
The largest doll holds a chicken (rooster), a symbol of Russia's rich rural life. It is an auspicious motif symbolizing family happiness, fertility, and the beginning of a new day. The gentle expressions of the women depicted nestled together and the patterns on the platok (shawls) drawn with each stroke seem to tell a story of everyday life.

Quantity: Set of 5 dolls (originally 7. The smallest 2 are lost, so there are currently 5)
Height: 20cm, Diameter: 9.2cm

For those who also like antique tools
#sunantiques

Thank you for looking.

I also sell artisan pottery, cooking utensils, beautiful cookbooks, threads, and fabric works. #sungaragesaleandthreadworks

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