Josef
Material: hand carved wood, hand painted, cardboard cape
Size: 7,5 cm high
Age: ca. 1920
Origin: Czech, Grulich
Condition:
Nice condition with normal signs of age. The cardboard cape is slightly torn at the back.
Description:
This Grulich nativity figure of Joseph dates from around 1920 and was carved from wood and painted by hand. Joseph wears a dark blue robe with white decorative lines, a row of buttons and a painted belt. An orange cloak with black detailing completes his attire. Brown hair and a beard frame his finely painted face. Joseph is depicted standing with one arm extended slightly forward. The angular carving and sculpted folds of his robe highlight the figure’s handcrafted character. Mounted on a rectangular, green-painted wooden base, it would make a charming addition to a historic Grulich nativity scene. Very good pre-owned condition. Guaranteed antique – not a reproduction.
Grulich nativity figures:
Grulich nowadays called Králiky in the Czech Republic is located at the foot of the Eagle Mountains in Northern Bohemia. Emperor Joseph II. forbade any christmas cribs in churches. After that at the end of the eighteenth century around the grulich area began a massive production of nativity figures for home use. There are many variants of the Grulicher figures, some are roughly, others very fine carved. The wood carvers in the Adlergebirge were mostly seasonal workers. Women and children painted the figures. The Grulicher crip production goes down during the upcoming industrialization at the end of the 19th century.
