Russian Stacking Doll

7.5 × 7.5 cm

I think our Russian Stacking Doll is one of my prettiest designs. Even now, I’m pleasantly surprised by just how much detail we managed to capture in such a little piece.

Not the most Irish of themes, perhaps, but we had wooden nesting dolls, also known as Matryoshka dolls, at home when I was a child, and I suspect many of you did too. Ours weren’t quite as pretty as this one, though! This little lady comes with all the charm, but none of the smaller relatives tucked inside.

Whether you grew up calling them Russian dolls, nesting dolls, stacking dolls or simply ‘the little dolls inside each other’, they seem to bring back a different childhood memory for everyone.

In my twenties, I visited Moscow and St Petersburg while my best friend from school was doing a work placement in Russia. This little design brings back lovely memories of that trip.

Traditionally handmade from wood and painted by hand, these little dolls are a much-loved folk craft. We’ve given ours a twist in Irish Linen, with intricate hand-stitched embroidery and embellishments bringing a little playful luxury to a familiar childhood treasure.

Hang her alongside our Rocking Horse, Teddy Bear and Vintage Pram for a nostalgic gathering of much-loved, old fashioned toys.

Personally, I love her with our Scandi Snowflake Heart, which is why I’ve styled them together in the photograph. Both have a lovely folksy feel, and the pairing reminds me of Christmas markets in Eastern Europe. The simpler heart gives her intricate details room to shine without the two competing for attention.

In the red-and-white striped photographs, she’s sitting against our Candy Cane Stripe Irish Linen table runner—a rather festive backdrop (see our homewares section).

Our Irish Linen

Our luxury artisan decorations are handcrafted from beautiful Irish Linen, thoughtfully sourced from a mixture of vintage fabrics, local mill deadstock, repurposed antique tablecloths and offcuts from our own cushion making. We also work with a small number of wonderful Irish linen mills, including one of the last remaining linen mills still active in Ireland today, carefully selecting fabrics for their colour, texture and character.