This bas-relief nativity is shaped as a Christmas tree. All figures are carved into the wood and then hand-painted using bright primary colors. The paint is lacquered to protect it.
Nativity Tree
All posts by Johan van Parys
Congolese Holy Family
This lovely Holy Family is carved out of wenge wood (millettia laurentii). This wood which is native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo is very dark in color with a distinctive and strong pattern. The flowing lines of this piece are enhanced by the linear lines of the wood.
Clay Holy Family
This Holy Family is made of clay in Cameroon. The clay is shaped, fired in a kiln, cooled, and then dipped into a dye from boiled eucalyptus tree bark to make the bronze patina.
The standing Joseph figure is 13.5 inches high while the sitting Mary is 9 inches tall.
Zulu Nativity Dolls
This Zulu Nativity was made by the women of Kwa Zigi Gimi in Northern KwaZulu, South Africa. Their specialty are hand-beaded dolls. Though originally used to make fertility dolls they applied this technique to create these nativity dolls.
African Bead Nativity
This African bead nativity is hand made in Ghana. The figures are composed using 100% recycled glass beads, wire, cloth, wood and other natural fibers. Each figure is unique.
Palm House Nativity
In this nativity the birth of Jesus is set in an African palm house. Carved by Francis Agbete from kapok or thorn wood, this nativity depicts the Holy Family in traditional Ghanian attire. This set includes the Holy Family, a shepherd with two goats, an angel, and three magi with gifts accompanied by a messenger.
Kitenge Nativity
The figures in this nativity are made from wire frames wrapped with banana fiber and then dressed in traditional Kitenge fabric in shades of red. The scene contains 10 figures: Joseph, Mary, Jesus, two shepherds, two sheep, and three wise men kneeling with their gifts.
Iguassu Holy Family
This wonderful rendition of the Holy Family was bought in the shadows of the Iguassu Falls in Argentina. It was made by local artisans.
Steel Drum Nativity
Cut out of a recycled steel drum previously used to hold oil this nativity very succinctly tells the story of the visit by the Magi who offer their gifts to the Holy Family. The artist uses all available space and imaginative perspective to assure that everyone is represented.
Palm Tree Nativity
