posted on December 22, 2001 07:13:26 PM new
We've had a set of Russian wooden nesting dolls depicting rulers from Gorbachev down to Ivan the Terrible. Bought it in Moscow in 1991.
Taking it apart today to check on all the figures, we discovered that Leonid Brezhnev is stuck inside Gorbachev! (Husband says he has a big butt. I think he WAS a big butt.)
The heads are off, all the smaller dolls are out and intact, but these two seem stuck on each other, so to speak.
I've tried placing it in the freezer, hoping the cold would shrink something a bit. No luck. I've then tried prying them apart with a sharp knife. No luck.
posted on December 22, 2001 07:30:34 PM newwe discovered that Leonid Brezhnev is stuck inside Gorbachev!
Maybe the paint or lacquer wasn't quite dry when they were joined. This site has nesting dolls and welcomes e-mail inquiries so perhaps they could help.
posted on December 22, 2001 10:36:36 PM new
Kiara: Thanks for the website. I went to it and couldn't click on any of the links but then noticed they said it is "under construction." I did e-mail them and asked my question. I'll let you know if I get an answer.
Maybe I should put them in a little box with a Richard Nixon doll so they can come unglued. . . . ;D
posted on December 22, 2001 10:59:34 PM new
I just checked the site again and it is working for me. Except they have those silly little mouse trails, etc.
Lol @ the Nixon doll. If that doesn't work try tossing in a Bill Clinton doll and maybe he can poke them apart.
posted on December 23, 2001 06:41:47 AM new
Hi roadsmith,
First, these nesting dolls sound quite interesting. I will look forward to seeing them on auction.
My recommendation (and recommendation from my woodworker Honey)is to try either of the below. We are assuming the dolls are stuck from the expansion of the wood due to moisture vs. design flaw and/or paint adhesions. If it is design problem or wet paint that stuck together (unlikely) then there isn't much that can be done without damaging the two dolls.
Try putting silica gel packets (found in new suitcases, wood furniture at the store, some clothing boxes, etc.) inside Brezhnev and then put his head on. Add another packet inside Gorbachev and add his head. Place the dolls in a warm/hot room and allow to dry.
If you cannot find silica gel packets, heating up clean sand will work as well for inside Brezhnev's body. You do not want to add sand inside Gorbachev's body because it may cause abrasions on the paint job of Brezhnev. Warm sand will draw out the moisture from wood (faster and oftentimes better than silica jel packets)but us more messy. A tip from my Honey is to use a coffee filter (cone style) and fill the sand inside the coffee filter taping it at the opening so that the sand doesn't stain or get all over the wooden box/doll.
posted on December 23, 2001 11:20:56 PM new
Thought I'd check in and let you all know how much I appreciate your help - and the funny cracks, too.
I received an answer to my email to nestingdolls4u.com. They suggested force, which I've tried with no luck yet; hubby has an awful cold and is too weak to try his luck on it but will when he's better.
The hot sand/silica method is still waiting in the wings for my ambition.
The Clinton idea does have merit. . . .
And, hubby wants me to say that there's actually a doll smaller (and further back in history) than Ivan the Terrible here. It's Alexander Nevsky. Heard of him? I hadn't either but I guess he's one of the big Russian history names.
And -- he won't let me sell this on ebay! Bummer. Lining up all the ugly little guys was so much fun for him, even without Brezhnev's lower torso in sight, that he wants to keep it a while longer. He obviously does not have the Ebay Spirit.
