Category Archives: Nativities

Africa, Cameroon

Small Clay Nativity

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This native Cameroon village is made of clay by artisan Alphonse Yenji (pronounced Yen-i). 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 10 pieces include: Mary, Joseph, Jesus in a manger, three wise men, two camels, one shepherd, and one sheep. The tallest figures are 8 inches high.

Alphonse Yenji is sponsored by the Presbyterian Handicraft Centre, known as Prescraft, a nonprofit organization that supports local craftspeople. Prescraft provides employment for close to 800 artisans, 40 percent of whom are women.

Asia, India, Nativities

Kashmiri Nativity

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This six-piece Kashmiri nativity is intricately hand painted in traditional Rajastani style on soapstone resin figures. Characteristic are the accents with metallic gold paint details. This nativity is created by members of Asha Handicrafts.

Asha Handicrafts is committed to preserving India’s diverse craft traditions. They ensure a fair wage for those who craft their remarkable handiwork. Any profits are directly channeled into tailor-made projects that meet the needs of artisans and their community.

A leading fair trade organization since 1975, Asha Handicrafts was begun with the mandate to “trade, train, and transform.” Even its name (asha means “hope” in Sanskrit) inspires a new, hopeful model for doing business. In addition to providing needed income through the sales, marketing, and export of handcrafted products, Asha is committed to the overall well-being of artisans.

Chile, Nativities, South America

Copper Holy Family

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This copper Holy Family is stylized and semi-abstract in appearance. Nevertheless, the devotion of Mary; the protection of Joseph and the sweetness of Jesus are clearly conveyed.

The work is signed by Jorge Monares of Santiago, Chile. Jorge learned the copper trade working in his father’s workshop starting in 1976. He works together with his wife to make decorative work such as nativities, jewelry as well as utilitarian pieces like pots. They use the traditional colonial forging technique which is characterized by only using fire and a hammer as their tools.

Africa, Malawi, Nativities

Christmas in Africa

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This Christmas in Africa Nativity is set in an African village. Mary and Joseph are gathered around Jesus in the shade of a hut and a palm tree. The Angel looks on prayerfully. A shepherd and his sheep approach the Holy Family and the Magi bring their gifts. In addition, the animal kingdom is also present. They comprise the African big five, lion, leopard, Rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo as well as a crocodile, giraffe, hippo, and zebra.

This nativity was created by Van Nyasulu from Nkhata-Bay, Malawi. As a young teenager, Van learned the métier of woodcarving from his father who was a renowned woodcarver in Malawi. Van has since developed his own distinct style.

Van carved this nativity out of Muwanga wood and finished it with wood wax. The hut stands at a height of 9 inches and it can be dismantled. The tree is 10 inches, the giraffe is 7 inches and Joseph is 5.5 inches. The other figures are less than 4 inches tall.

Christmas in Africa
Africa, Malawi, Nativities

The Magi

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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.

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.

 

Asia, Thailand

Thai Celadon Nativity

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This exquisite nativity was crafted in the Celadon Ceramic Studios run by Duangkamol Srisukri whose father started the studios. Setting this nativity apart is the Celadon technique as well as the traditional Thai setting featuring Thai garb, the Thai angel known as a deva and the water buffalo.

Celadon is the name given by Europeans to a very specific type of ceramic that was originally developed some 2000 years ago in the Zhejiang province of China. Celadon ceramic is characterized by a specific type of glaze as well as by its jade green color.  Today, Celadon is produced in many different Asian countries, including Thailand.

 

 

Guatemala, South America

Holy Family Resting on their Way to Egypt

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Following the advise of an angel and fearing King Herod would kill Jesus, Joseph took his family to safety in Egypt.  This version of the flight shows the Holy Family as they pause for a moment. Joseph is wearily leaning on his staff. Mary holds the baby Jesus on her lap. Jesus is depicted holding his hands un prayer.  Jose Canil Ramos honors the Holy Family with these two pinewood sculptures, carved and painted by hand.

Peru, South America

Gold Chulucanas Nativity

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This elegant Nativity is from Chulucanas, a town situated on the side of Mt. Vicús in the northwestern coastal region of Peru. Chulucanas is well known for its rich and ancient tradition of pottery making.  The technique used is known as “reverse technique” and has been handed down from the ancient pre-Columbian inhabitants of this region. Their ceramics are displayed today in some museums under the name of Vicus pottery.

Usually monochrome brown or black this stylized Chulucanas Nativity is set apart by it’s complex coloring highlighted by the gold.

This nativity is made available through Allpa.
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