This Peruvian nativity presents the Holy Family is very young people. In most nativities this is the case with Mary, however, traditionally Joseph is depicted as an older man who is somewhat removed from Mary and the Christ Child. In this Nativity Mary, Joseph and Jesus as shown lying down in an intimate embrace. The animals are lying down next to the Holy Family.
This nativity, set is a Peruvian village is lit by the glow of the candle on the inside of the candle holder. The glow of a Peruvian village home spills out to surround the Holy Family. This ceramic tea light holder hand-formed and hand-painted.
This touching nativity reveals how the art of Andean highlands artisans is grounded both in their daily life and in their personal faith as they depict the Holy Family in their own traditional Andean image.
This Roly-poly nativity was handcrafted from dried etched gourds by artisans of Manos Amigas in Lima, Peru. They peel ripe gourds, and dry them in the sun. Then they carve the design on the gourd and burn accents into the gourds. Finally, the gourd is painted.
This colorful nativity is carved from cedar wood and then painted with unique floral motives. Of note is that the Christ child, rather than lying in a manger is placed on a pineapple. The symbolic meaning of a pineapple is welcome, generosity and hospitality. How striking that the child who was not welcomed at the Inn and therefore was born in a stable is placed on a pineapple, the symbol of welcome.
This nativity is a simple wooden puzzle of the Holy Family set in a pinewood landscape.
Under a starry night, through a desert, with an oasis full of Mediterranean vegetation in the distance, the Holy Family is fleeing the threat of Herod and traveling to Egypt.
This nativity is somewhat controversial. Its proto-type in Spanish colonial style was created by renowned santero and mass-produced from a mold with resin, a fragile plastic-like material.
This ceramic Holy Family was created by Elena Madureri of Cerámica Latina. Though abstract the piece is able to convey the intimacy and tenderness that exists between Mary, Joseph and Jesus.
This whimsical nativity was painted on a gourd by Julie Bolanz. Julie is an artist who primarily works with gourds. In her own words: “I have been working primarily with gourds for the last 25 years and never remember a day that I wasn’t dreaming of creating something or sketching.” Her favorite topic is Christmas.
