Category Archives: Europe

Europe, Italy

Amalfi Holy Family

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“Ceramica Margherita” (http://www.ceramicamargherita.it/index.html) is a ceramic studio founded by Margharita D’Amato.  The studio which was founded in 1996 is located in the town of Vietri sul Mari in the province of Salerno, in the Campania region of Southern Italy. Vietri is known as the gateway to the Amalfi Coast. Ms. D’Amato’s husband Giovanni Stabile manages their ceramic store in Vietri.

Vietri and all of Campania is known for its colorful ceramics. Since the 15th C. ceramicist in Campania have given their creative imagination form, shape and color in ceramics that are innovative, elegant, and often whimsical.

Standing in this long tradition Ms. D’Amato has a natural affinity for working with clay. Her works are unique; they express great joy; and they have a disarming sense of simplicity.

This playful representation of the Holy Family depicts them in a grotto, covered with lemons so typical for the Amalfi coast. The Star of Bethlehem is perched on top of the grotto. Inside, the baby Jesus covered with a bleu blanket joyfully reaches out his arms toward us. His happy mother, Mary folds her hands in adoration while Joseph looks a bit forlorn,

Europe, Italy

Amalfi Nativity Stable

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“Ceramica Margherita” (http://www.ceramicamargherita.it/index.html) is a ceramic studio founded by Margharita D’Amato.  The studio which was founded in 1996 is located in the town of Vietri sul Mari in the province of Salerno, in the Campania region of Southern Italy. Vietri is known as the gateway to the Amalfi Coast. Ms. D’Amato’s husband Giovanni Stabile manages their ceramic store in Vietri.

Vietri and all of Campania is known for its colorful ceramics. Since the 15th C. ceramicist in Campania have given their creative imagination form, shape and color in ceramics that are innovative, elegant, and often whimsical.

Standing in this long tradition Ms. D’Amato has a natural affinity for working with clay. Her works are unique; they express great joy; and they have a disarming sense of simplicity.

This ceramic nativity evokes the beautiful grotto or stable in which Jesus was born. The grotto is painted azure bleu, reminiscent of the beautiful blue grotto on the nearby island of Capri. The Star of Bethlehem is perched on the grotto. Behind the star is a decorative string of lemons, so typical for the Amalfi Coast. On top of the grotto in a beautifully bucolic setting of a shepherdess offering a baby goat something to drink.

The holy family is piously situated in the grotto. Mary looks beatific as she adores the baby Jesus lying in the manger, draped with a whimsical bleu blanket. Only Jesus has a halo. Joseph stands by leaning on a staff, protectively tending to Mary and Jesus.

A very playful and colorful ox and donkey in the back of the grotto complete the scene, their mouths wide open in acclamation. They fulfill the Biblical prophecies from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 1:3: “The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but my people do not understand.” Also, the Gospel of the Pseudo-Matthew mentions that an ox and donkey were present fulfilling the prophecy of Habakkuk 3:2: “Between two animals you are made manifest.”.

I found this joyful nativity in a ceramic store in Amalfi in 2016.

Europe, Poland

Polish Holy Family

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This beautiful nativity was created by Jerzy Chodorowski.

Mr. Chodorowski is a Polish sculptor who had been active in Krakow since 1975. His style is very much influenced by the work of Southern polish sculptors, especially from the Podhale region. He mostly sculpts religious figures. His work is in private collections all over the world. (http://www.rzezba-w-drewnie-chodorowski.pl/gb/index.htm)

Set in a simple stable, a stout mother Mary is holding a pious baby Jesus. Joseph stand protectively behind them. His facial expression seems to hint at the fact that he does not know what to think. The star rests on top of the stable. The tree of life or the Jesse tree grows right outside. The donkey is the only animal in the stable.

In addition there are two music making angels. One is playing an accordion, the other a violin. The three Magi devoutly approach the Holy Family and offer their gifts. A shepherd and his sheep answer the call of the angels and arrive to worship the baby Jesus.

 

Europe, Germany, Nativities

Bronze Holy Family Relief

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This bronze relief depicts a recumbent Mary holding the baby Jesus. Jesus is wrapped in swaddling cloths. Joseph, holding a staff in one hand and gesticulating with the other stands protectively next to Mary. The Star of Bethlehem brightenes up the scene. The ox and donkey look on from a distance.

Europe, France

Créche Briarde

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This sweet nativity was handmade in the pottery studios of the Abbey of Jouarre in France.  Each one of the figures is made out of clay and partially glazed .

This nativity comprises stylized figurines of the baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The  three Magi accompanied by a camel come bearing gifts. A shepherdess carrying a lamb, is accompanied by her daughter who brought along two sheep.

Europe, Russia

Russian Holy Family

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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 grotto forms the background for this nativity. The star of Bethlehem is painted on the grotto. The ox, donkey and a sheep are shown in to grotto. 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.

Europe, France

Painted Pebble Nativity

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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.

Europe, Italy

Alessi Christmas Baubles

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These Christmas Baubles were designed by Marcello Jori for Alessi, and Italian Design Company founded by the Alessi family in 1921. He combines two great traditions, the nativity scene and the decoration of the Christmas tree.

These Baubles are hand painted on an internally mirrored glass base to give the decoration an effect of luminosity and depth.