original nativity scenes

An original set of Christmas ornaments, these tiny retablos celebrate the birth of Jesus. Retablos were originally intended as altar pieces featuring different scenes from the Bible. Alejandro Chavez handcrafts the miniature nativity scenes from plaster of Paris. Each character is shaped and painted individually and painted with bright hues.

With this inspiring nativity scene Jose Canil Ramos preserves a tradition that began in Guatemala on Christmas of 1649. Back then, Holy Brother Pedro de Betancourt set up a nativity scene he had brought with him from the Canary Islands in Tenerife. In Canil's original version, the Three Wise Men bring a pineapple, a watermelon and a chicken as gifts from Guatemala. Ramos carves each figurine by hand from pinewood that was weathered and dried during the summer months. The characters' florid robes are painted by hand, and they stand on brown wood bases. Archangel Gabriel's wings are detachable. Including the bed, ox and donkey, this nativity set features 10 pieces.

Joseph, Mary and the Baby Jesus are joined by three Wise Men in this charming nativity scene from Nik in Bali. The artisan styles the figures after the Dayak peoples of Borneo. Originally animist in belief, since the 19th century there has been a mass conversion to Christianity among many of the Dayak. The six albesia wood figures are carved and painted by hand.

Three kings from the Orient arrive with gifts of gold, myrrh, and frankincense to honor the birth of Jesus. Every nativity scene is celebrated in a colorful hut transformed into an original ornament. Alejandro Chávez handcrafts each remarkably detailed piece.

This delightful set of three holiday retablos is created by Peru's Alejandro Chavez. Artisans craft the three mini retablos from wood, placing small hand-painted ceramic figures within. One features a traditional nativity scene; another shows the three Wise Men on their way to Bethlehem. The third features three whimsical Santas bearing gifts, accompanied by a teddy bear.

Make your holiday extra special with this set of four ornaments from Alejandro Chavez in Peru. Each ornament is a tiny retablo, complete with a hand-painted nativity scene within. The four ornaments are each painted in a different color scheme and arrive ready to hang from golden cords.