18th Century High Quality Neapolitan Crèche with 20 Figures and Structure

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About the Item

Neapolitan Creche with 20 figures. Naples, Italy, 18th century. Heads in terracotta, hands and legs in carved wood, tow stuffing, wire and original textiles. Measures: 120 x 100 x 80 cm. Although the first historical data of the visual representation of the nativity scene dates back to the 13th century, this phenomenon, common to the whole Christian world, reaches its moment of maximum splendor in the eighteenth century and in a particular territory, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in time of Charles III of Bourbon monarch especially interested in the development and research of Decorative Arts and, especially, in the "Presepes" or nativity scenes. To do so he called his side to some of the best sculptors of the time, as Giuseppe Sammartino, Gori, Celebrano, Nicola Somma and many others. Thus, the Bethlehem managed to outflank the field of religion to settle in the court and in the homes of the nobility and gentry, where he acquired an original personality. Even today, the best families in Naples proudly display permanently in their homes, their nativity scenes, neatly stored for centuries. The Neapolitan crib is distinguished from other similar events for its spectacular and scenic wealth achieved by the activity of very diverse artists and craftsmen (architects, sculptors, painters, silversmiths, potters, tailors ...) who, with his imagination and ability, able to reproduce the popular and daily life of the city of Naples as a basic argument to accompany the religious event of the Nativity of Jesus. The market, the hostelry, dances, street vendors, beggars, the tavern, the various trades, grazing, the royal procession and all that was available to the everyday or fantasy had its place in the Neapolitan cribs and it developed even to religion of Mystery. This was built as a scene in the urban bustle, though its protagonists figures, wrapped in a spectacular waterfall angelica, whatever they end up attracting more attention from the viewer. Human protagonists of different scenes, figures are made using a technique that mixes different materials: the body and the beginning of the limbs are formed from a flexible wire frame lined tow which allows varying the position of the figures. In this core legs and arms carved wood are added. It is, however, the head, made of clay, which gives character to character and needs a more delicate work is often carried out important sculptors. They also model some complete figures are termed "academies". Search likelihood determines the thoroughness with which are policromadas these pieces, incorporating glass eyes and above all, the care with which they are designed and made the costumes and accessories that define the role of each figure in the set . Shepherds, gentlemen, rustic, Gypsies, Turks; They are coated according to their social status, offering a rich showcase of folk costumes or courtiers of the time, adorned with passementerie, botonaduras, buckles, lace. The female figures complete their attire with a funny miniature jewelry repertoire. Along with the different characters, animals (cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys, horses, elephants, greyhounds, camels, etc.) are essential players in this belenístico universe and its realization takes care matched based on direct copy of the natural process often in the hands of skilled artists (N. Vassallo, F. Gallo). Final commissioning scene needs a large number of accessories: musical instruments, weapons, chests and trays, fruits and vegetables, fish, organ meats, dishes and glassware, made of clay, wax, silver, ebony, ivory, bone, glass. At the Royal Palace of Madrid he made a magnificent exhibition of nativity scene of the March Foundation and another exhibition in Salamanca. Studies of Gennaro Borrelli (1970) informs us about the current traffic of shepherds and mangers between Naples, Rome and Spain, indeed, in many Spanish museums important collections of Neapolitan nativity scene (Sculpture Museum Valladolid preserved, the Museum of Ceramics Valencia; Decorative Arts in Madrid). Bibliography: LUMINI A., Le sacre rappresentazioni in Italy, Montanina, Palermo, 1887. Borrelli G., Il presepe napoletano, Banco di Roma, Rome, 1970. Perolini A. E F., Il Presepio Italian popolare, De Luca, Rome, 1972. FITTIPALDI T., Scultura e presepe nel Settecento to Napoli, Delfino, Rome, 1979. AA.VV., In principio e alla fine. Il presepe e il Carnevale, Azienda Autonoma Soggiorno e Turismo - Università degli Studi di Storia delle Cattedra tradizioni popolari, Salerno, 1980. BARZAGHI A., Il presepe nella culture of '700 to Napoli, Matteo, Treviso, 1983. MANCINI F., Il presepe napoletano. Scritti e Testimonianze dal secolo XVIII to 1955, Società Editrice Napoletana, Napoli, 1983. G. Borrelli, Scenografie and scene of presepe napoletano, Pironti, Napoli, 1991. Catello E., Il presepe napoletano del Settecento, Fabbri, Milano, 1991. PICCOLI catello M. (a cura di), Il presepe napoletano, Guida, Napoli, 1991. FITTIPALDI T., Il presepe napoletano del Settecento, Electa Napoli, Napoli, 1995. GRIFFO A., Il presepe napoletano: personaggi and environment, Istituto Geografico De Agostini, Novara, 1996.

Dimensions:
Height: 47.25 in (120 cm)Width: 39.38 in (100 cm)Depth: 31.5 in (80 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 20
Style:
Rococo (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Terracotta
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1750
Condition:
The item is in good condition according to its age and the photo.
Seller Location:
Madrid, ES
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU181434396693