Childhood is a wonderful and carefree time, when the biggest concern is only the toy you long for. Apparently, it was precisely for those who have not lost the child within their soul that the Museum of Dolls in Saint Petersburg was created in 1998.
The collection was based on several private doll collections, to which new exhibits were constantly added - contemporary авторские изделия, antique dolls, and the best works of students from the Academy of Theatre Arts.
Today, the museum's exhibition includes more than 5000 exhibits and is housed in eight themed halls. Some dolls are very ancient, were found during excavations and carefully restored by specialists, while others have only just come into being in authors' workshops and were donated to the museum by craftswomen.
The Theatre Hall displays former puppet theater "actors" - marionettes, glove puppets, and finger puppets. The "Departed Rus'" exhibition reflects the history of toys among the Slavs - primitive figures made from leftover fabric, little dolls made from grains and straw, protective figures, and ritual dolls.
Interior dolls are young ladies in luxurious outfits with porcelain faces, created to decorate a room rather than end up in children's little hands. In the Fairy Tale Hall, you will be greeted by scenes from favorite stories acted out by skillfully made doll characters, and in the Forest Hall you can encounter... dragons and leshys!
