Provencal creche
Nativity and visit of the Wise men

Early XIXth century
Collection : Musée national des arts et traditions populaires, Paris, France
Photo : MNATP

Clay and painted cardboard, dried leaves, glass and fabric. Provençal village built on a mountain peak. This composition already displays the traditional elements of people going about their customary activities. Only the figures depicting the Nativity and the visit of the Wise Men are in traditional Biblical costumes.