Page 22 - Journal of Antiques and Collectibles December 2019
P. 22
bundled up under their shepherds’ robes, brave the elements to re-enact the Ireland … Israeli olive wood renditions … abaca fiber manger scenes from the
Christmas story in chilly outdoor settings. In the United States, one of the Philippines … jute and hand-woven cloth representations from Bangladesh …
best-known (and most spectacular) modern live re-enactments is the “Living and even an eleven-piece Nativity set from Tanzania, constructed entirely
Nativity” at Radio City Music Hall, a New York holiday tradition since the of banana leaves. In Hungary, children observed the tradition known as
1930s. Here, the Magi’s camels are the real thing, and a seemingly endless “betlehemezés,” carrying their handcrafted Nativity scenes from home to
parade of worshipers, (including a full retinue for each King), wends its way home, singing carols and offering prayers.
toward Bethlehem. Each interpretation not only incorporates indigenous materials in its
fabrication but also envisions the principal Nativity characters with a
Figural Representation sensibility inherent to the locale. A Zulu rendition of the Holy Family,
With live depictions falling out of favor during the fashioned from fabric, beads, wood, and straw, may seem, on
Renaissance, the focus was once more on figural representa- the surface, to have little correlation to European Renaissance
tions. These were first popularized in the fifteenth and paintings on the same theme. There is, however, a strong and
sixteenth centuries by the Jesuits in churches throughout poignant bond between the two, representing the universality
Europe. Whether fashioned of wood, terra cotta, stone, at the heart of the Christmas story.
fabric, or metal, each manger scene essentially presented a Bethlehem Past To Present
similar theatrical tableau. The principal Nativity participants
were captured at a specific moment in time, paying homage to In the United States, with the dawn of mass production in
the Christ Child. the early twentieth century, home Nativity sets came within the
Nativity scenes could be nearly full-size, half-size, or range of every household budget. Despite the cookie-cutter
miniature, depending on the available space. The figures were sameness in styling, the intentions were good (and no artistic
arranged around the manger, often backed by a realistic stable talent was called for). Originally displayed beneath the
setting. In many churches, tradition held that the figure of the Christmas tree, by the 1960s crèches had migrated to higher
Baby Jesus was not to be placed in the manger until Christmas terrain. There they remained safe from the hazards of animated
Eve. (That tradition even served as a plot point for a holiday holiday displays, teetering stacks of wrapped presents, and
episode of the 1950s TV detective series, Dragnet.) marauding hordes of eager children on Christmas morning.
By the early seventeenth century, the range of suitable Today, the theme of the Nativity continues to be
locales for a Nativity set had broadened. Soon, the displays From Murano, Italy, a one-piece re-imagined in countless ways, and with varying degrees of
rendition of the Holy Family, in
could be found not only in churches but in home taste. There are Franklin Mint Nativities, many of which
blown and lamp-worked glass and
environments as well, a custom that had its roots in southern 24k gold. 7-3/4” h, $75-$100. hearken back to classic medieval themes … Precious Moments
Italy. In some European countries, devout homes even kept a Nativities … Snow Baby Nativities … even a 1999 “Best of
manger scene on display year-round, as an ongoing reminder Christmas” Nativity with oversized teddy bears donning the
of Christ’s birth. robes of the Three Kings. A 2004 “celebrity Nativity” at Madame Tussaud’s
Early home crèches were hand-crafted, a time-consuming process which Wax Museum in London may have stretched the boundaries a bit too far.
meant they initially were available only to the wealthy. The scenes became Among the waxworks costumed as the Holy Family, Wise Men, and shepherds
increasingly more elaborate, with the humble inhabitants of Bethlehem’s stable were David and Victoria Beckham, George W. Bush, the Duke of Edinburgh,
decked out in fine linens and brocades, and the sumptuous robes and crowns and Samuel L. Jackson. The Archbishop of Canterbury was “not impressed.”
Finding more fans are Nativity scenes like the one displayed each holiday
of the Wise Men dotted with precious jewels. In the most over-the-top
renditions, the Christ Child’s manger was fashioned of silver, His head
season in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Medieval Sculpture Hall. There,
encircled with a halo of gleaming gold. While no doubt reverentially intended, beneath a 20-foot blue spruce (arrayed with 18-century angels), rests the
a certain element of one-upmanship entered into such displays. Members of Neapolitan Baroque Crèche with its cast of beloved and familiar characters.
the aristocracy, particularly in such locales as Naples, Genoa, and Sicily, hosted Tradition (thankfully) reigns.
Yuletide gatherings with that season’s dazzling Nativity scene on view for all to For many, however, the only “real” Nativity set is the one that has been
enjoy (and envy). Joining the Holy Family in the most elaborate displays were handed down in a family, from generation to generation. The plaster may be
a variety of interpolated figures, from members of the nobility (of course) to chipped on this piece, the paint a bit faded on that one. A donkey may be
missing a foot, a shepherd the top of his crook, and there may be a Bethlehem
food vendors, card players, shoppers, assorted cats and dogs, and gypsy
fortunetellers! A distance had been traveled from the simplicity of Bethlehem. Star that stubbornly refuses to light. But still, these visual reminders continue
to inspire, just as the Christmas story itself continues to inspire, some two
Crafted by Hand and by Interpretation thousand years on. Nativity scenes, in whatever shape, form, style, or skill of
Those who could not afford such splendor, but still wished to celebrate the execution, celebrate what is for many the pivotal event in the history of the
religious aspects of the holiday, often crafted their own manger scenes from world: the birth of Christ.
whatever materials were at hand. The resulting creations boast a sincerity
better suited to the season’s theme, making the more expensive versions seem “And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,
gaudy by comparison. As Christianity spread across the globe, this form of praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among
handmade self-expression grew and flourished. The influence of individual men of good will.’”
cultures can be seen to wonderful advantage in Nativity sets from around – Luke 2: 13, 14
the world.
Included in this limitless array are carved Nativity gourds from South Merry Christmas!
America. .pine plaques from El Salvador. … clay figurines from Mexico, Peru, Donald-Brian Johnson and Leslie Piña are the co-authors of numerous Schiffer
and South Africa … terra-cotta ones from Venezuela … Russian nesting dolls, books on design and collectibles. Dr. Piña is also the co-author of Nativity
and crèches made of birch bark … Italian blown glass … wood carvings from Crèches of the World. Please address inquiries (or holiday greetings) to
Ghana, Germany, and Cameroon … limestone and porcelain figures from donaldbrian@msn.com. Photo Associates: Ramón Piña and Hank Kuhlmann
Title Images (left to right):
Sing praises! Even the Christ Child joins
in the celebration, in this joyful eight-piece
carved wood set. Marked “CRc A & J”,
tallest figure 10”, $160-$175.
An exquisite twelve-piece Lladro
porcelain Nativity. The star is
13-1/2” h, $2000-$3000.
A carved wood assembly from Ireland,
From Mexico, a five-piece clay set incorporating traditional A Bangaladesh rendition, of natural jute and hand- eight pieces mounted with pegs. 7” h,
costuming. Marked “Hermos. Mario y Miguel Meneloza- woven cloth. Six pieces, including angel and playful $75-$125.
Jopey.” The tallest figure, 5-3/4”, $35-$50 sheep. The tallest figure, 6-1/2”, $20-$25.
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
20
Christmas story in chilly outdoor settings. In the United States, one of the Philippines … jute and hand-woven cloth representations from Bangladesh …
best-known (and most spectacular) modern live re-enactments is the “Living and even an eleven-piece Nativity set from Tanzania, constructed entirely
Nativity” at Radio City Music Hall, a New York holiday tradition since the of banana leaves. In Hungary, children observed the tradition known as
1930s. Here, the Magi’s camels are the real thing, and a seemingly endless “betlehemezés,” carrying their handcrafted Nativity scenes from home to
parade of worshipers, (including a full retinue for each King), wends its way home, singing carols and offering prayers.
toward Bethlehem. Each interpretation not only incorporates indigenous materials in its
fabrication but also envisions the principal Nativity characters with a
Figural Representation sensibility inherent to the locale. A Zulu rendition of the Holy Family,
With live depictions falling out of favor during the fashioned from fabric, beads, wood, and straw, may seem, on
Renaissance, the focus was once more on figural representa- the surface, to have little correlation to European Renaissance
tions. These were first popularized in the fifteenth and paintings on the same theme. There is, however, a strong and
sixteenth centuries by the Jesuits in churches throughout poignant bond between the two, representing the universality
Europe. Whether fashioned of wood, terra cotta, stone, at the heart of the Christmas story.
fabric, or metal, each manger scene essentially presented a Bethlehem Past To Present
similar theatrical tableau. The principal Nativity participants
were captured at a specific moment in time, paying homage to In the United States, with the dawn of mass production in
the Christ Child. the early twentieth century, home Nativity sets came within the
Nativity scenes could be nearly full-size, half-size, or range of every household budget. Despite the cookie-cutter
miniature, depending on the available space. The figures were sameness in styling, the intentions were good (and no artistic
arranged around the manger, often backed by a realistic stable talent was called for). Originally displayed beneath the
setting. In many churches, tradition held that the figure of the Christmas tree, by the 1960s crèches had migrated to higher
Baby Jesus was not to be placed in the manger until Christmas terrain. There they remained safe from the hazards of animated
Eve. (That tradition even served as a plot point for a holiday holiday displays, teetering stacks of wrapped presents, and
episode of the 1950s TV detective series, Dragnet.) marauding hordes of eager children on Christmas morning.
By the early seventeenth century, the range of suitable Today, the theme of the Nativity continues to be
locales for a Nativity set had broadened. Soon, the displays From Murano, Italy, a one-piece re-imagined in countless ways, and with varying degrees of
rendition of the Holy Family, in
could be found not only in churches but in home taste. There are Franklin Mint Nativities, many of which
blown and lamp-worked glass and
environments as well, a custom that had its roots in southern 24k gold. 7-3/4” h, $75-$100. hearken back to classic medieval themes … Precious Moments
Italy. In some European countries, devout homes even kept a Nativities … Snow Baby Nativities … even a 1999 “Best of
manger scene on display year-round, as an ongoing reminder Christmas” Nativity with oversized teddy bears donning the
of Christ’s birth. robes of the Three Kings. A 2004 “celebrity Nativity” at Madame Tussaud’s
Early home crèches were hand-crafted, a time-consuming process which Wax Museum in London may have stretched the boundaries a bit too far.
meant they initially were available only to the wealthy. The scenes became Among the waxworks costumed as the Holy Family, Wise Men, and shepherds
increasingly more elaborate, with the humble inhabitants of Bethlehem’s stable were David and Victoria Beckham, George W. Bush, the Duke of Edinburgh,
decked out in fine linens and brocades, and the sumptuous robes and crowns and Samuel L. Jackson. The Archbishop of Canterbury was “not impressed.”
Finding more fans are Nativity scenes like the one displayed each holiday
of the Wise Men dotted with precious jewels. In the most over-the-top
renditions, the Christ Child’s manger was fashioned of silver, His head
season in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Medieval Sculpture Hall. There,
encircled with a halo of gleaming gold. While no doubt reverentially intended, beneath a 20-foot blue spruce (arrayed with 18-century angels), rests the
a certain element of one-upmanship entered into such displays. Members of Neapolitan Baroque Crèche with its cast of beloved and familiar characters.
the aristocracy, particularly in such locales as Naples, Genoa, and Sicily, hosted Tradition (thankfully) reigns.
Yuletide gatherings with that season’s dazzling Nativity scene on view for all to For many, however, the only “real” Nativity set is the one that has been
enjoy (and envy). Joining the Holy Family in the most elaborate displays were handed down in a family, from generation to generation. The plaster may be
a variety of interpolated figures, from members of the nobility (of course) to chipped on this piece, the paint a bit faded on that one. A donkey may be
missing a foot, a shepherd the top of his crook, and there may be a Bethlehem
food vendors, card players, shoppers, assorted cats and dogs, and gypsy
fortunetellers! A distance had been traveled from the simplicity of Bethlehem. Star that stubbornly refuses to light. But still, these visual reminders continue
to inspire, just as the Christmas story itself continues to inspire, some two
Crafted by Hand and by Interpretation thousand years on. Nativity scenes, in whatever shape, form, style, or skill of
Those who could not afford such splendor, but still wished to celebrate the execution, celebrate what is for many the pivotal event in the history of the
religious aspects of the holiday, often crafted their own manger scenes from world: the birth of Christ.
whatever materials were at hand. The resulting creations boast a sincerity
better suited to the season’s theme, making the more expensive versions seem “And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,
gaudy by comparison. As Christianity spread across the globe, this form of praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among
handmade self-expression grew and flourished. The influence of individual men of good will.’”
cultures can be seen to wonderful advantage in Nativity sets from around – Luke 2: 13, 14
the world.
Included in this limitless array are carved Nativity gourds from South Merry Christmas!
America. .pine plaques from El Salvador. … clay figurines from Mexico, Peru, Donald-Brian Johnson and Leslie Piña are the co-authors of numerous Schiffer
and South Africa … terra-cotta ones from Venezuela … Russian nesting dolls, books on design and collectibles. Dr. Piña is also the co-author of Nativity
and crèches made of birch bark … Italian blown glass … wood carvings from Crèches of the World. Please address inquiries (or holiday greetings) to
Ghana, Germany, and Cameroon … limestone and porcelain figures from donaldbrian@msn.com. Photo Associates: Ramón Piña and Hank Kuhlmann
Title Images (left to right):
Sing praises! Even the Christ Child joins
in the celebration, in this joyful eight-piece
carved wood set. Marked “CRc A & J”,
tallest figure 10”, $160-$175.
An exquisite twelve-piece Lladro
porcelain Nativity. The star is
13-1/2” h, $2000-$3000.
A carved wood assembly from Ireland,
From Mexico, a five-piece clay set incorporating traditional A Bangaladesh rendition, of natural jute and hand- eight pieces mounted with pegs. 7” h,
costuming. Marked “Hermos. Mario y Miguel Meneloza- woven cloth. Six pieces, including angel and playful $75-$125.
Jopey.” The tallest figure, 5-3/4”, $35-$50 sheep. The tallest figure, 6-1/2”, $20-$25.
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
20
