Late 1800's Italian Nativity set.

[putrid]

Finally set up and got pictures of my antique Nativity set.

http://home.earthlink.net/~jazzfusion/id16.html

The only piece not displayed in the pics is the angel. It's on the main tree.

[Nephew Fred]

Wow,I swear that I have that same nativity.
Some of the painting is different on some of the figures
I will try to post a pic of mine

[Sickie Ickie]

Our family had a much smaller one (thanks for the cola can in the pic!) that looked almost exactly like that. Baby Jesus was able to be taken out of the crib, too. I'm pretty sure it wasn't wooden though. Resin, maybe?

[putrid]

Nephew Fred, Check the bottom of each piece. If it's hand written or stamped "Italy" only then it's a good chance to be as old or orlder than my set.

Sickie Ickie, I've seen the smaller sets like the one you have. You might be able to date them by what's on the bottom of each piece as well. Yes, the baby Jesus I have is seporate from the manger. Not the best looking one I've seen. If you look closely he looks like a drunk 5 year old. The pieces are paper mache.

Ok, I went and checked out what's sold on Ebay. Not any piece I have but they did sell ones I don't.

11 1/2 tall boy with flute......102.50
11 tall woman and child........909.00
12 tall camel.......................510.00
12 tall shephard...................224.72
12 tall man and dog..............141.50
12 tall shephard with bagpipe..128.49
11 1/2 tall standing angel........688.00

I don't think I'll be able to afford to add to my set any time soon. LOL

[Sickie Ickie]

Wow. For that you could do these nativity sets!

http://www.discountcatholicstore.com/nativity_sets.htm

[putrid]

Be cool to have a 50 inch tall nativity out side. The cost aside, storage would be a big problem.

LOL neighbors wouldn't know what to think. After years of Halloween displays. I'd have them knocking on the door and asking "where's the skulls and tombstones?"

[Sickie Ickie]

Well, you aren't supposed to put these up during Halloween. :p

[Mummy deer-est]

Not the best looking one I've seen. If you look closely he looks like a drunk 5 year old.

LOL! I was going to bite my tounge on this, so as not to offend, but now that you said this...
Don't you think that the one standing King looks a lot like Samuel L. Jackson!?

hehehe

Beautiful set.

[putrid]

LOL Absolutely no offense Mummy deer-est. It's just one artists rendition. And an auction purchase. Not something I went looking to buy. There are way better looking ones out there. Honestly for a Nativity they all have a snobbish drugged look to them. I've seen kinder looking faces. The cheapo ceramic set I have on the floor next to the TV has kinder expressions on each figure. ( yes, i have two complete Nativitys in the living room. Counting the ornaments on both trees I have 5 represented. I've never been able to do anything without going overboard. LOL)

With all that said I still really like the set. The colors and detailing are fantastic. And the size is totally cool. I had thoughts of selling but in the words of an old friend and antique dealer,
"the stuff in my shop is ok. But i have better looking antiques in the house."

LMAO YES he looks just like Samuel L. Jackson!!!!

[Mummy deer-est]

Good, I'm glad you found that funny! hehe

The size is really great -- don't see nativities sold at the size anymore. Really unique.

[putrid]

Had a guy form work come by to see the set. He couldn't agree with you more. LOL