Christmas

This set of nesting dolls has been created in the ancient Russian town of Sergiev Posad by the talented master Listunov Oleg. The work is based on the religious theme, and includes five wooden dolls.
The first and the biggest doll features a famous biblical subject of Jesus Christ's nativity. It is an incomprehensible miracle that was documented in the Gospel of Luke, Matthew, and a series of prophecies of the Messiah from the Old Testament. Each of the rest four dolls features only the figure of Jesus Christ. 
To produce this work Listunov has applied the unique technique of poker-work. It has been done so skillfully that it is hard to believe that the texture of hair, face complexion, the interior of the room and different materials are not painted but burnt out with the help of a special device. The backside of each doll is covered with light brown paints that tone perfectly with the color of burnt wood. The brilliance of halos above the heads of all saints is created with the help of gold metal leaf. Gold metal leaf is also used to create the gold cross that can be found on the backside of the first and the biggest doll. A thing band of gold metal leaf also frames each scene.