OUR COLLECTION — ASIA — INDIA 377. WOOD AND COPPER NATIVITY
This Nativity is made from hand-carved wood in Benares, India. The stained wood is from mango trees from nearby forests. The set contains nine pieces: Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus in a manger, a shepherd, an ox, a donkey, and three wise men. The tallest standing figure measures 3.75 inches tall.
The wood blocks are embedded with pieces of copper to create each figure’s details. If the copper becomes dull, it can be brightened by rubbing it over fine sandpaper. Originally these printing blocks were used for printing designs on the silk saris worn by the wealthy Hindu women in India. At this time, only a couple of families still have this knowledge, which is passed down generation to generation, so these blocks are made in limited quantities. The handcrafted artwork is a fast-disappearing art.
The holy city of Benares, also known as Varanasi, lies in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Benares is a well know pilgrimage center located on the banks of the Ganges River. Benares is famous for its spiritual and cultural heritage. It is holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism and Jainism.
The wood blocks are embedded with pieces of copper to create each figure’s details. If the copper becomes dull, it can be brightened by rubbing it over fine sandpaper. Originally these printing blocks were used for printing designs on the silk saris worn by the wealthy Hindu women in India. At this time, only a couple of families still have this knowledge, which is passed down generation to generation, so these blocks are made in limited quantities. The handcrafted artwork is a fast-disappearing art.
The holy city of Benares, also known as Varanasi, lies in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Benares is a well know pilgrimage center located on the banks of the Ganges River. Benares is famous for its spiritual and cultural heritage. It is holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism and Jainism.