John the Baptist Christening Jesus

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 John the Baptist christening the 30 year old Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. Over them Listunov portrayed two angels and the hovering dove that symbolizes the Saint Spirit. 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, and the landscape is 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 halo above the head of Jesus Christ 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 featured on each doll.