This charming Nativity has 14 figures that are made out of clay and hand-painted. Several towns people were added to the usual figures that populate the Nativity . The stable is made out of a real coconut shell.
This Nativity is known in Guatemala as a “Shell Nativity” due to the shape and the scalloped edges of the grotto. An Angel hovers over the Holy Family which is surrounded by an ox, donkey and a sheep.
This nativity set was hand carved from European linden wood and hand painted in богородское or Bogorodskoye, a community known for its wood carving situated some 42 miles from Moscow, Russia.
The painted grotto forms the background for this nativity with the star of Bethlehem an ox, donkey and a sheep reflecting Isaiah’s prophecy: “The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger” (Is. 1:3) The artist painted a tree of life and flying birds on the reverse side of the grotto. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the angel are free-standing figures.
The angel atop the grotto is fastened to it by a wood pin. Thus the angel can be removed. The angel’s wings are fastened in a similar manner.
This retablo depicting the Nativity was created in a hallowed out gourd. Surrounding the Holy Family are the three Magi, an ox and donkey.
This nativity was made using one of oldest and most traditional example of Peruvian handicraft. Each gourd is selected to match the figure it is to represent: Jesus, Mary, Joseph, ox, donkey.
This Nativity was hand-carved from Kisii soapstone in western Kenya by members of the Nyabigena Soapstone Carvers.
The figures of this nativity were carved in Jacaranda wood with a mahogany stain. The set includes 10 pieces: Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, three magi, two shepherds, 1 cow, 1 sheep.
This nativity depicts the Holy Family in a traditional reed canoe, known as a caballito de totora. The sacks in the canoe are intended as offerings to the land. The figures are hand-molded in clay, painted and fired.
This Holy Family was created by Alberto Aparicio Canchari. Alberto was born in Ayacucho in 1965. He is a dedicated ceramist, inspired by the customs and beliefs of Andean villages.
This unique nativity was created by Martine Gaussen who lives in Tourrette-sur-Loup, in the south of France.
Ms. Gaussen collects pebbles from the river Loup and paints on them. Influenced by the style of Russian icons her nativities comprise the Holy Family, shepherds, Magi but also local townspeople in the tradition of the French Santons.
This nativity includes Jesus, Mary, Joseph, a music making angel, and ox and donkey, several Magi, both make and female, a shepherd and shepherdess, a baker and and elderly couple.
The figures of this relatively crude nativity are carved out of wood. They are set in a hut woven out of twigs . This nativity includes the Holy Family and an angel.
