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Rare 12-Piece Hand-Carved Iraqi Christian Nativity Set
Purchased in Baghdad, Iraq, in 2009
Offered here is a beautiful and unusual 12-piece wooden Nativity set hand-carved by an Iraqi Christian artisan named Ramy. I personally purchased the set in Baghdad in 2009 and have owned it ever since.
The set depicts the traditional Nativity scene through individually carved figures of the Holy Family, the Three Wise Men, worshippers or shepherds, and animals. Each piece displays its own natural wood grain, coloring, and carving marks. Particularly attractive details include the expressive faces, elaborate crowns and headdresses, deeply incised robes, patterned garments, and carefully carved animal figures.
The warm coloring and distinctive grain suggest that the figures may have been carved from olive wood, a material traditionally used for Christian devotional carvings throughout the Middle East. However, the exact species of wood has not been professionally identified, so it is being described simply as carved wood.
What makes this set especially meaningful is its documented personal history. It was acquired in Baghdad from an Iraqi Christian carver during a period of enormous upheaval for Iraq’s ancient Christian communities. It is both a devotional Christmas display and a distinctive example of contemporary Iraqi Christian folk craftsmanship.
SET INCLUDES:
• 12 individually hand-carved wooden pieces
• Mary
• Joseph
• Baby Jesus in a manger
• Three Wise Men
• Shepherds or worshippers
• Assorted Nativity animals
CONDITION:
The set is in good pre-owned condition and has been carefully kept in my personal collection since 2009. Because these pieces are individually handmade from natural wood, variations in color, grain, shape, carving, and finish are part of their character.
There are some natural wood lines, small age cracks, knots, surface marks, and minor irregularities consistent with hand carving and age. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and show the condition of the individual pieces. No professional restoration or wood identification has been performed.
PROVENANCE:
• Hand-carved by an Iraqi Christian artisan named Ramy
• Personally purchased by the present owner in Baghdad, Iraq
• Acquired in 2009
• Maintained in the same private collection since its purchase
This is not an ordinary factory-produced Nativity set. Its substantial hand carving, Iraqi Christian origin, named maker, and direct Baghdad provenance make it a meaningful piece for a collector of Nativity scenes, Christian devotional art, Middle Eastern folk art, or objects connected to Iraq’s Christian heritage.
The entire set will be individually wrapped and carefully packed for shipment.
Please feel free to contact me before purchasing if you would like additional photographs, measurements, or information.
