Category Archives: Africa

The Magi

November 18, 2019 Johan van Parys Leave a comment

This African Christmas carving by Van Nyasulu is made out of Muwanga wood which is known for its beautiful grains. The piece shows African people of different tribes bringing various gifts to the Holy family. Everything is carved by hand and polished to bring out its natural shine.

Van Nyasulu is from Nkhata-Bay, Malawi. He learned wood carving from his father, a renowned carver in Malawi from the seventies through the early nineties. He taught Van from the age of 6 until 14 when he passed away. Since then Van has developed his own style and made wood carving his full time job.

Africa, Cameroon

Bronze Flight into Egypt

January 4, 2016 Johan van Parys Leave a comment

The Holy Family did a lot of traveling early on. While pregnant Mary went into the hillside to meet her cousin Elizabeth. Next Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, the town of Joseph’s ancestry where they were to register. It was in Bethlehem that Jesus was born. Then, on the advise of an Angel Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt where they. When Jesus was safe the Holy Family traveled to Nazareth where they settled till Jesus began his public life. This intimate bronze sculpture shows the Holy Family on their way to Egypt. Mary holds Jesus protectively and looks at him lovingly while Jesus is nursing. Concerned, Joseph looks ahead and leads the camel carrying Mary and Jesus on their way. Please note that often Mary is seated on a donkey.

This bronze sculpture was created by Prescraft.

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Africa, Malawi, Nativities

Black Mahogany Nativity

March 8, 2015 Johan van Parys Leave a comment

This Nativity was hand-carved in mahogany wood and stained black so as to give it an ebony appearance. Some of the figures are delicately carved and look very elegant. Others have a more unfinished and heavier appearance.

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Africa, Kenya, Nativities

Kisii Nativity

February 25, 2015 Johan van Parys Leave a comment

This Nativity was hand-carved from Kisii soapstone in western Kenya by members of the Nyabigena Soapstone Carvers.

Africa, Nativities, Rwanda

Jaracanda Nativity

February 24, 2015 Johan van Parys Leave a comment

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.

Africa, Democratic Republic Congo

Congolese Holy Family

February 5, 2015 Johan van Parys Leave a comment

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.

Africa, Cameroon

Clay Holy Family

February 5, 2015 Johan van Parys Leave a comment

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.

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Africa, Nativities, South Africa

Zulu Nativity Dolls

February 5, 2015 Johan van Parys Leave a comment

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.

Africa, Ghana, Nativities

African Bead Nativity

February 5, 2015 Johan van Parys Leave a comment

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.

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Africa, Ghana, Nativities

Palm House Nativity

February 5, 2015 Johan van Parys Leave a comment

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.

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Nativities from Around the World!