Description
Mid 20th century hand molded terracotta Neapolitan 12" creche figure of tinker.
His facial features, vestments and colors are very detailed and expressive.
I have a few nativity figures listed separately that came from an estate of a couple who traveled extensively during second half of 20th century. Each figure is one of a kind piece in excellent condition, unless noted otherwise.
The figures ranging in size from 8.5" to 12", each of them hand signed with different names.
About Creche:
Setting up a nativity scene—presepe in Italian —is a strong tradition in Naples, started as early as the 11th century.
Statuettes range from classic nativity characters—the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, baby Jesus, the Three Wise Men—to figures of the Neapolitan tradition—the fisherman, the wine maker, etc.
The business of making creche figures thrived in 18th-century Italy, where the wealthy competed with one another to see who could assemble the most elaborate, theatrical displays. It was not uncommon for the finest sculptors of the period to be commissioned to model the heads and shoulders of these figures. Many people were involved in fabricating the pieces, with one person making the head, while others created legs and the remainder of the body. Most faces are extremely expressive, showing great detail. The hands often were the most difficult feature to achieve.
Nearly all the Neapolitan Italian figures were made from terracotta and polychrome, multi-colored paints.
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