Figure 1.--This is a Neapolitan creche statuette from 18th century showing a mother with two young children. Notice the contemprary clothing. Family nativity scenes might have figures like this unrelated to the actual Gospel story. Source: Collection of Nativity scenes at the Bavarian National Museum, Munich, Germany.

Here is an example of a beloved Itlian tradition, Nativity scenes. In the years before the Christmas scenes became the center of the family's Christmas celebration, it was beautiful nativity scenes constructed with figuraines which a family collected over the years. While the Holy Family and Magi wore robes, the rest of the characters were dressed in comtemprary clothing clothing. Here is a good example. We thought at first it was Mary and Jesus, but it is in fact an unidentified mother with two children. Notice her and the boy's contemporary clothing. Family nativity scenes could have figuresike this unrelated to the actual Gospel story. Thus like pintings these figurunes are auseful source of clothing informtion.

Source

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Created: 3:38 AM 12/26/2008
Last updated: 3:38 AM 12/26/2008