Russia is famed around the world for its nesting dolls. Not so many people are aware of the fact that in the post-Communist era these dolls within dolls, which traditionally depicted peasant women in fancy folk dress, sometimes display Nativity scenes. Called Matryoski in their homeland (a variant of the popular peasant name, “Matryona,” with connotations of The Little Old Lady in the Shoe), these interconnecting doll sets were the inspiration of a late 19th century Russian arts and crafts movement designer and are hollowed out by hand on a lathe. The five doll Nativity set in my collection from Russian Craftsman Alexander Soshin shows--in descending size--the Holy Family, the Three Kings, the Shepherds, the Flight into Egypt, and a Christmas angel. You can view this new Russian folk art piece in the image gallery of the Nativity Sets and Scenes page of the Schools of Sacred Art section. (John Kohan)