A special phenomenon in modern applied art is the art doll — a genre that has seen growing interest not only among collectors, but also among art historians, interior designers, fashion designers, and even architects. The presence of an art doll in a home has long been regarded as a mark of refined taste and artistic sensibility. Today, hundreds of major exhibitions dedicated to art dolls are held annually around the world.
By the late 1980s, only a few craftspeople in the USSR were creating original, handcrafted dolls. Among them were theater artists, designers, decorators, and passionate enthusiasts with no formal art background. At the time, there were no established experts or collectors of decorative dolls. It is widely believed that Roman Shustrov from Leningrad became the founder of contemporary Russian doll sculpture and the pioneer of the Russian art doll community. Working with natural materials and archaic techniques, his first public works emerged in the early 1990s, marking the beginning of a new artistic movement.
Perm and the Perm Region have since become one of Russia’s leading centers for the creation and collection of art dolls. Key cultural hubs for connoisseurs include the Perm Gallery of Art Dolls and the Perm Doll Museum. The gallery is a creative association of local artists united by their passion for the art form. Its members study together, showcase their dolls, and conduct master classes. Their works are regularly featured in many exhibitions.
Among the gallery’s renowned masters is Natalia Fyodorovna Kerbil, an accomplished artist who not only exhibits her creations but also shares her expertise through workshops. One of her notable works housed at the gallery is the doll “Jade”. It is a version of the “Chinese Princess” doll on display that is now part of the collection of the Irbit Museum of Fine Arts.
The “Chinese Princess” doll stands on a round wooden base adorned with cord and beads. She wears a traditional qipao — a silk dress — paired with textile shoes embellished with beads and ornamental details.
In the 17th century, women from the higher classes wore the qipao dress. The garment gradually replaced Han Chinese women’s attire. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the qipao underwent a transformation in the early 20th century in Shanghai, where it was modernized into a sleek, figure-hugging style with high side slits — a symbol of modern femininity.
In the 21st century, the qipao has again become popular in China, cherished as an elegant garment for formal events and cultural celebrations. In some schools in Hong Kong, a modified version is worn as a school uniform for girls, reflecting its enduring cultural significance.
