ADVENT CALENDAR 2024

December 9

NATIVITY WITH GOLDEN HALOES

Tonalá, Mexico
Painted clay
1990

Tonalá, Mexico, known for its ceramics, is home to the Museo Nacional de la Cerámica (National Museum of Ceramics). The pottery made in Tonalá often features two distinct themes: the nahual, a mythical pre-Hispanic shape-shifter, and the flor de Tonalá, a flower with an oval center and rounded petals. This Nativity set from Tonalá includes 14 delicately painted figures: Mary, Joseph, the infant Jesus, three wise men, an angel, two children, a cow, a bull, and three calves. Mary’s robe features naturalistic designs, including a rabbit, leaves, fruit, and what appears to be the flor de Tonalá. Gold accents and wire haloes adorn the figures.

Gift of Alan and Mary Liz Pomeroy

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