The Russian doll or, more accurately, the Matryoshka doll.  The name derives from pre-Revolution days when Matryosha, (from the Latin root 'mater' or 'mother'), was a popular female name. In Russian culture, the name conjures images of a portly, rosy-cheeked, motherly figures with lots of children.  The dolls are still considered to be a symbol of motherhood and fertility.  Surprisingly, they didn't appear until the late 19th Century.  They are, in fact, children's toys: in 1900 an example was submitted to the World Exhibition in Paris where it was awarded a bronze medal.  Political Matryoshka dolls are also very popular and feature the current leader on the largest doll with past leaders hidden inside.

Important:  We have selected several base t-shirt manufacturers, and designs may therefore vary in dimensions from one to the next.  Please ensure to take care in selecting the right size for you!

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