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Neapolitan Polychrome Terracotta Nativity Heads from the 1700s Set of Ten Figures

About the Item

Neapolitan Nativity Scene Heads in Terracotta from the 1700s set of ten traditional Neapolitan nativity scene figurine heads, in polychrome terracotta from the 1700s, small collection of ten male and female heads, figures modeled in hand-painted terracotta, with glass eyes in various states of preservation as visible from the photo gallery. Neapolitan nativity art has remained unchanged to this day for centuries, becoming part of the city's most established and followed Christmas traditions. The figures were mounted on green-colored cardboard mounts by the collector who collected them over the years; in fact, they came from a private collection in Milan. The set consists of ten polychrome terracotta heads, ten units that cannot be sold individually. The heads have various sizes, THE MEASURES INDICATED ARE VARIOUS, IN HEIGHT INCLUDING SUPPORT; including support they measure from 20.5 cm the tallest, to 16 cm the lowest. Good overall state of preservation, some show chipping, missing and old restoration, see photographic details, consistent with the 18th-century dating of these southern Italian figures. the Neapolitan nativity scene has a long and interesting history dating back to the 13th century. In fact, it is said that St. Francis of Assisi, during a Christmas mass in Greccio in 1223, made the first nativity scene in which the nativity scene was depicted with straw statues. Over the following centuries, the nativity scene spread throughout Italy, taking different forms depending on the region. In the 17th century, the Neapolitan nativity scene began to take on the characteristics that still distinguish it today, namely the depiction of the nativity in a popular and realistic context, with the addition of figures such as shepherds, artisans and characters from everyday life. During the 18th century, the Neapolitan nativity scene reached its artistic peak thanks to the work of great artists such as Giuseppe Sanmartino and Antonio Vaccaro, who created statues of great realism and beauty. With the advent of the 19th century, the Neapolitan nativity scene became increasingly popular among ordinary people, who began to make their own representations of the nativity using poor materials such as paper and cloth. The Neapolitan nativity scene thus became a true popular art form, expressing the faith and creativity of the Neapolitan people. Throughout the 20th century, the Neapolitan nativity scene continued to evolve, incorporating elements of contemporary life and making room for new forms of expression such as the mechanical nativity scene, with moving figures. Today the Neapolitan nativity scene is still much loved and is one of the most important and original Christmas traditions in the whole of Italy, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. Export from Italy is subject to Belle Arti, a government license that must be applied for from the ministry and whose issuance takes 2 to 3 weeks. La spedizione potrà essere effettuata solo con questa licenza. Periodo: 1700 Height: without stand about 10 cm, including the stand they measure from 20.5 cm the tallest, to 16 cm the lowest. Width: 6cm Depth: 7 cm

Dimensions:

Height: 8.27 in (21 cm)Width: 2.76 in (7 cm)Depth: 2.37 in (6 cm)

Sold As:

Set of 10

Style:

Folk Art (In the Style Of)

Materials and Techniques:

Paper,Pottery,Hand-Crafted,Hand-Painted

Place of Origin:

Italy

Period:

Early 18th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1700 about

Condition:

Repaired: some figures show chipping, missing and old restoration, consistent with the eighteenth-century date,see photographic details,. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages.

Seller Location:

Milan, IT

Reference Number:

Seller: A11341stDibs: LU2160336744932

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