Needlepoint Bell Pull

An earlier post featured featured framed embroideries in the collection. Today’s post deals with a lovely handmade needlepoint canvas bell pull. Its overall size is 43" tall x 7.1/2" wide, with a 6" tassel. The embroidery itself is 32. ½" long.

In the foreground is Mary and the Baby Jesus

The three wise men appear behind.

Colors include navy, purple, beige, gray, green, blue, brown, black, yellow, and white, with gold thread accents. (The back is lined in soft blue velvet.)


It hangs from gold colored wooden holder.

It is now one of my favorite embroidered pieces and hangs in the stairway with framed nativity wall art. Click here for the post on the stairway.

This post is being linked to Blue Monday, sponsored by our gracious Sally at Smiling Sally.

This post is also linked to Mellow Yellow Monday. Go to http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/ for more bright posts.

Needlework Nativity Scenes

This post focuses on framed needlework in the collection.

The first piece is a counted crosstitch completed by my former secretary. I started to stitch the piece but the stitches were too small for me to do after work in the evening. My eyes protested really protested about the close work.

Th design is based on the style of a medieval illuminated manuscript.

The next piece I acquired is done in crewel embroidery

A third piece is a needlepoint done in bright colors, designed with a stained glass effect.

Last is a quilted piece framed in an embroidery hoop. The fabrics and the simple design provide a nice example of folk art.

The story of Jesus' nativity is presented in an appealing way by each of these pieces of hand work.

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.