OUR COLLECTION — AFRICA — IVORY COAST 383. UNIQUE PROPORTIONS NATIVITY
This very unique Nativity, made from stained iroko wood, is from Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire). The set is unusual because of its unique proportions. The single wise man has a much larger scale than the other figures. Joseph and the shepherd have a similar scale, while Mary is scaled much smaller than these men. Also, the two lying sheep are scaled as large as the oxen and horse. We do not know why the scale is so unusual in these figures. The same artisan carved another Nativity set for us; the pieces in the other set are much more proportional.
The set contains thirteen pieces: the Holy Family, a shepherd holding a staff with a lamb by his side, one wise man with gift, two oxen, a horse, four sheep, and a mystery piece that might be a feed manger for the many animals. The wise man stands 11.5 inches tall.
The set contains thirteen pieces: the Holy Family, a shepherd holding a staff with a lamb by his side, one wise man with gift, two oxen, a horse, four sheep, and a mystery piece that might be a feed manger for the many animals. The wise man stands 11.5 inches tall.