How to Open a Madame Alexander Russian Nesting Doll

The nesting doll became a symbol of Russian toys soon after Sergei Maliutin made the first in 1891. It comes as no surprise that famed doll maker Beatrice Alexander, a first-generation Russian-American, made her own nesting doll. The Madame Alexander Russian dolls came with two identical nesting dolls, one that the doll fit in to and a smaller one she held. Madame Alexander made only a small number of the Russian dolls, and they are now considered very rare collector's items.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Hold the top half of the large Madame Alexander nesting doll with one hand and the bottom half with the other.

   • 2

     Use your thumb to gently apply pressure on the bottom section of the nesting doll about half an inch from the seam.

   • 3

     Pull the top and bottom halves of the doll away from each other, and the nesting doll will pop open.