VASLAV NIJINSKY, early 20th century, French, a rare satin and silk Nijinsky doll dressed in Russian Ballets Russes-style outfit, with label 'made by Mda Wall', 41cm high Vaslav Nijinsky (1890-1950) was a ballet dancer and choreographer cited as the greatest male dancer of the early 20th century. Born in Kiev to Polish parents, Nijinsky grew up in Imperial Russia, but considered himself to be Polish. He was celebrated for his virtuosity and for the depth and intensity of his characterisations. He could dance en pointe, a rare skill among male dancers at the time, and was admired for his seemingly gravity-defying leaps.