PROBABLY NEAPOLITAN, LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Details

SIXTEEN VARIOUS ITALIAN TERRACOTTA CRECHE FIGURES
PROBABLY NEAPOLITAN, LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY
Naturalistic modelled, polychrome painted terracottta heads, composition and wooden bodies, dressed in silk and fabrics, some with inset glass eyes. Comprising; nine male figures including the figure of Christ, a Turkish merchant, a peasant with a dog, and a market seller; four female figures including the Virgin Mary and three child figures
42 cm. and smaller (16)

Special notice

Christie's charge a premium to the buyer on the final bid price of each lot sold at the following rates: 23.8% of the final bid price of each lot sold up to and including €150,000 and 14.28% of any amount in excess of €150,000. Buyers' premium is calculated on the basis of each lot individually.

Lot Essay

The custom for the Neapolitan creche or presepio has a long tradition. There is still a healthy rivalry to display the best presepio at Christmas. The tradition for larger and more elaborate presepi was started by the Bourbon King Charles III who delighted in extravagant Nativity displays which were mimicked by the Nobility and in turn by ordinary families. In the late eighteenth century artisans specialising in presepi flourished. Apart from the Holy family and Wise Men, tradesmen, market sellers, peasants and animals were all produced, most with painted terracotta heads and compositon and wood bodies which were dressed in silks and fabrics. The Museo Nazionale di Sa Martino in Naples is noted for its vast and varied collection of presepi figures. Comparable figures were recently sold; Christies, London South Kensington, sale 5767, 12 July 2005, lots 172-181

More from European Furniture, Clocks, Sculpture, Carpets and

View All