A GROUP OF TWENTY ONE POLYCHROME-DECORATED TERRACOTTA AND WOOD CRECHE FIGURES

A GROUP OF TWENTY ONE POLYCHROME-DECORATED TERRACOTTA AND WOOD CRECHE FIGURES
Naples, late 18th century and later
Comprising a seated Mary with embroidered and beaded pink silk costume; two figures of Joseph, each in flowing yellow and purple costume; a Magi (Melchiorre) in scarlet-ground acanthus-patterned damaks silk long robe; a second youthful bearded Magi (Gasparre) in an embroidered and beaded red silk long robe; a third turbaned and bearded elderly Magi (Baldassarre) in an embroidered and beaded green silk long robe; a fourth bearded elderly Magi (Baldassarre) in embroidered and beaded cream silk long robe; an Oriental musician, lacking instrument; two elderly women, one larger than the other and with a tartan shawl; the 'Young Virgin', with cream cotton shawl; the 'Sleeping Shepherd' with a staff; another shepherd figure in a fur vest; an Oriental in gold thread-embroidered blue silk vest; two 'Innkeeper' figures, on in tartan costume and lacking hands, the other in blue and white checkered silk jacket; five villagers in various poses and of various sizes, most of the standing figures on later painted wood bases, some costumes original but largely replaced, each inscribed in red paint with an accession number
7in. (18cm.) to 12½in. (32cm.) high (21)