Blessings Plaque

With today being the second of October I know I must post to Carola Nativty Gallery blog. Furthermore, I must make good on all the drafted posts I’ve made with various topics to share with the followers of this bog.

Today’s item is one I planned to share back in March for Saint Patrick’s Day! It is a lovely ceramic piece from Ireland. It is a deep green and was made at the Callura Pottery in Country Clare.

The manufacturers marks are on the back, to the left and to the right bottom:
Blind-stamped Made in Ireland

Blind-stamped with bird logo and Callura Pottery

At 4 ½ inches high x 6 ½ inches at the base, it is a plaque for hanging on the wall or placing on the table top using the wire easel.

The arch shape is bordered all around with decorative three-leaf markings.

The interior of the arch contains a depiction of Mary, the Baby Jesus in the Manger, Joseph and a star above.

I understand that the inscription across the base, Beannachtai, is Gaelic for Blessings. Quite appropriate for the subject matter of this lovely piece. God blessed us all in the gift of His Son!

Nativity Wreath

A visit to the local consignment shop I spotted a large wreath. Passing it by the second time I realized that the figures embossed among the holly leaves were characters from the nativity story:
At the top is the Family with a cross-like Star. On either side are Angels.

On the left are Three Wise Men and a Camel and below another Angel.

On the right side of the wreath is a shepherd with flock and below another angel.


A red ribbon is twined around and at the base it forms is a red bow above golden bells


This post is linked to Show and Tell Friday hosted by Cindy at My Romantic Home.

Sculptural Nativity Figurine

Here is a very pretty nativity figurine. Mostly in blue, the robes of Joseph and Mary is a sculptural sweep of their garments.

The Baby Jesus is nestled in the sweep of their gowns.

The parents look lovingly on the precious newborn.


This post is linked to Blue Monday.

Blue Monday is sponsored by our gracious Sally at Smiling Sally.. Please visit her for more participating posts.

Vintage Thingies Thursday – Thrift Store Nativity

My vintage item came from a local thrift store. It is a creche tableau and on the bottom is stamped "Made in Italy".

The stable is different from the stables in most of my nativity scenes in that it is designed as a cave. Luke 2:7 indicates that the Babe was placed "in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." Many historians indicate that the original birthplace was in fact a cave where the animals would be kept. The manger would have been a feed trough for the animals.
The material used for the structure is some sort of paper mache. There is some damage to the roofline.

The figures are handpainted and glued in place.

The group gathered are the Wise Men on the left, the family in the middle and the shepherds on the right.

The dusty condition of the piece shows that it was no longer used and hadn't been used for a long time. I was glad to buy it for my collection for the sum of $3.00.
To see more vintage things, please visit Lisa at Confessions of an Apron Queen for a list of participating posts.

What the Collection Includes

The Nativity Scenes Collection is really quite comprehensive, and includes many types of items related to nativity scenes. As a person who enjoys putting things in order, I have cataloged the collection according to the following categories.


Catalogue Sections
I - CRECHE SETS
II – CRECHE FIGURE ORNAMENTS
III – CRECHE ORNAMENTS
IV – CRECHE TABLEAUX
V – CHRISTMAS PLATES
VI – CRECHE WALL ART
VII – CRECHE ITEMS – Xmas postcards, greeting cards, philately,
VIII – CRECHE BOOKS
INDIVIDUAL CRECHE PIECES


Here are brief explanations of the various categories, along with photos to illustrate.

I - CRECHE SETS
There are individual pieces in a set.
This Mexican creche is made up of individual pieces which are moveable.

So is this set of figures made of tree thorn from Nigeria.

II – CRECHE FIGURE ORNAMENTS
These are individual figures meant to be put on a tree as ornaments.
Here a metal ornament tree holds blown glass ornaments made in Poland designed Christopher Radko

These Lladro figures stand but also have a hanger for use as an ornament.


III – CRECHE ORNAMENTS
These composite nativities meant to be hung on a tree as ornaments.
Here is a small wood ornament from China

Another metal tree holds Hallmark ornaments with an Hispanic motif


IV – CRECHE TABLEAUX
These may consist of individual pieces glued down in a stable or on a background; cutout panorama of nativity scene; etc.
This photo shows three Italian nativities. The white one is a creche set, while the other two are creche tableaux.

This retablo from Peru has all the figures affixed within the box, so it is also a creche tableaux

V – CHRISTMAS PLATES
Collector’s plates illustrated with nativity scenes
Behind this creche set from Spain is a Spanish collector’s plate by Santa Clara.

From Germany two plates by Hedi Keller

VI – CRECHE WALL ART
The nativity-themed art includes framed needlework, paintings, prints, or calligraphed scripture. Here is an 1880’s print of a scene by Gustave Dore

A needlepoint nativity scene


VII – CRECHE ITEMS
This category includes paper ephemera such as Christmas postcards, greeting cards, calligraphy, postage stamps; also items like candles, bells, chocolate tins.
Here is a vintage Christmas postcard with a nativity theme

A Porsgrund blue and white mug from Norway


VIII – CRECHE BOOKS
This includes books on crèches; books about the Biblical nativity story; books of illustrations of nativity art.

INDIVIDUAL CRECHE PIECES
These pieces are only parts of a set. The collector is always on the lookout to find missing pieces and complete the set.
For example, these four vintage figures (Joseph and Three Wise Men) do not make a complete set. I hope to find Mary and Jesus to make up a creche set.