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.