OUR COLLECTION — ASIA — CHINA 115. LARGE NATIVITY WITH DRAGON
Our Chinese carver friend designed a custom Nativity for us based on our desired specifications. Then one of the artisans in his shop did the carving. This set required three weeks of hard work to complete. The figures and backdrop are carved from camphor wood. The set includes the Holy Family that are all one piece of wood (a great unity feature!), two angels, one standing camel, two sitting camels, four sheep, a water buffalo (a protective symbol in Chinese culture), a donkey, three shepherds (one is bowing), and three wise men (two are kneeling). The backdrop measures 14.5 inches across by 12.5 inches high. The standing shepherd measures 7 inches tall.
An intricate flowering tree, two birds, and the Star of Bethlehem are carved into the background. We requested that the artisan also add a lotus flower at the center of the base. In Chinese culture, lotus flowers are thought of as being like gentlepersons, who keep themselves clean, alive, and healthy in a dirty environment. Essentially the Chinese lotus flower represents creative power and purity amid adverse surroundings—another great symbol to associate with the Holy Family. The artisan added another symbolic feature: he designed the twisting trunk of the tree to resemble a dragon, complete with wood knots where the eye and nose should be. In Chinese culture, the dragon is the symbol of the emperor. This is a great, subtle symbol of Jesus as the emperor of each of us.
This item comes from the only Christian woodcarving workshop in China, located in China's Zhejiang province, an area famous for all types of wood carving.
An intricate flowering tree, two birds, and the Star of Bethlehem are carved into the background. We requested that the artisan also add a lotus flower at the center of the base. In Chinese culture, lotus flowers are thought of as being like gentlepersons, who keep themselves clean, alive, and healthy in a dirty environment. Essentially the Chinese lotus flower represents creative power and purity amid adverse surroundings—another great symbol to associate with the Holy Family. The artisan added another symbolic feature: he designed the twisting trunk of the tree to resemble a dragon, complete with wood knots where the eye and nose should be. In Chinese culture, the dragon is the symbol of the emperor. This is a great, subtle symbol of Jesus as the emperor of each of us.
This item comes from the only Christian woodcarving workshop in China, located in China's Zhejiang province, an area famous for all types of wood carving.