- Lot 77

Lot 77
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Estimation :
35000 - 40000 EUR
- Lot 77
Neapolitan crib or "Presepio" decorated with santons from the 18th century Of Neapolitan tradition, the cribs are quite rare on the market of Art. It is often on the occasion of a trip to Italy or thanks to the passion of a collector that one can admire these sublime sets. We discover from time to time, a santon in the course of sales, but rarely a whole crib or presenting a scene of the Holy History, except to move in Naples in particular, or in Caserta if one seeks the exceptional. These cribs evolve over time with the discoveries of collectors. The particularity of the Neapolitan crib figures is that they have a terracotta head with glass eyes, wooden hands and feet, and a bust dressed in cloth made from silk produced in San Leucio, near Caserta. The nativity scene presented here is the passion of an Italian collector. In this green lacquered wooden display case, we find a very characteristic Neapolitan Baroque scene, with a rock-shaped decoration with ruins, skilfully modelled and coloured with burnt earth, moss and shrubs. This beautiful work of the eighteenth century, reveals a nativity, surrounded by 3 characters of everyday life with various attitudes, flown over by 2 angels and a cherub. In the foreground, we discover the baby Jesus (which reminds us of the work of Nicola Ingaldi) surrounded by the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. On their left, we can see a man of quality holding a cane in his hand, school of Lorenzo Mosca. In front of him, a young man, school of TRILLOCCO On their left, we can see an old peasant woman, school of FRANCESCO VIVA. Our eyes are drawn to her face, which shows her goiter. Above, two angels (Ingaldi's entourage) and a cherub watch over them. These santons are fascinating both for their plastic and their anatomical details. These artefacts can be found in the works of the most important painters and sculptors who worked in Naples between the second half of the 18th century and the first years of the 19th century. The most illustrious families in Italy competed with each other to possess the most beautiful crib elements. The children are ecstatic... Older children are amazed and admire... Collectors hope and dream. Size of the santons : Virgin 35 cm Saint Joseph 35 cm Man of quality 35 cm Young man 26 cm The old peasant woman 30 cm Angels 33 cm and 30 cm Neapolitan or "Presebbio" manger decorated with santons from the 18th century
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