The product is a vintage Angela Tripi Nativity Collection Announcing Angel Figurine. This handmade terra cotta and fabric figurine stands at 14 inches tall and is artist designed. It is part of the Nativity collection and was manufactured between 1990-1999, making it a unique and collectible piece for holiday and seasonal decor. The figurine serves as a beautiful and sentimental announcement of the Christmas season, adding a touch of traditional charm to any holiday display.
Nativity announcing angel standing, 14” Angela Tripi.
The angel is an element figure in the Nativity Scene, announcing the birth of Our Savior, dressed in decorated and elegant fabrics and has a sweet and smiling face. The angels, with their graceful movements manage not to frighten the people asleep from the sleep of the night. All the nativity statues are handmade, in terracotta and cloth, then meticulously painted by hand. They are true works of art made with skill and attention at Angela Tripi's artistic work lab.
Normally the statues of the traditional nativity scene, for example the Neapolitan one, are made with a skeleton made with fabrics and with the ends in terracotta (the head, hands and feet). The statues of the artist Angela Tripi instead have completely formed bodies: they are modeled naked and subsequently dressed with fabrics and small jewels. In her works, the artist tells a story: each figurine is depicted in a moment of their life, thus allowing us to understand the existence of a before and after moment.
Angela Tripi succeeds in giving each nativity character an amazing realism, never seen before and unrepeatable: her works will never be the same, rending them unique. Suited for a 13 cm nativity set. CHARACTERS MAY DIFFER FROM THE PHOTO AS EVERY SCULPTURE IS A UNIQUE PIECE, BY CHOICE FROM THE ARTIST.
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Here’s some more information about the artist:
Angela Tripi is a renowned Sicilian artist from Palermo, famous for her unique, highly detailed terracotta nativity figures that capture everyday life with realistic human emotion and ancient Arab influences, creating expressive stories rather than static figures by sculpting fully formed bodies before dressing them in fabric, a distinctive departure from traditional nativity methods. Her studio is a popular destination, and her handcrafted art, known for its lifelike details like muscles and wrinkles, tells a story in a single moment.
Artistic Style & Process
Unique Construction: Unlike other figurines built on skeletons, Tripi sculpts figures completely nude, then dresses them, giving incredible realism to muscles, tendons, and wrinkles.
Inspiration: She draws from ancient Arabian traditions and Sicilian culture, reinterpreting historical customs for her characters.
Storytelling: Each piece is designed to capture a specific moment in a character's life, conveying deep emotion and narrative.
Material: Primarily uses terracotta, often with real fabrics and details, making each piece unique.
Key Characteristics
Detail-Oriented: Meticulous attention to facial expressions, anatomy, and cultural attire.
Expressive & Lifelike: Figures possess charisma, personality, and a sense of movement and history.
Collection Appeal: Her work appeals to both art experts and enthusiasts, with many collectors appreciating the storytelling aspect.
The Artist & Her Studio
Location: Based in Palermo, Italy, with a studio near the Duomo.
Hospitality: Known for welcoming visitors, offering insights into her process, and showcasing her team at work.
Legacy: Her nativity scenes have traveled globally and are celebrated for blending art, tradition, and unique craftsmanship