Small enough for a mantel. Shaped and painted entirely by hand.

Peruvian Hand-Painted Nativity Set, 5 Pieces

A miniature nativity set from Peru, modeled by hand from dough and finished in bright folk-art color. The group gathers the Holy Family with a cow and a donkey around a green, flower-trimmed manger, each figure carrying the slightly uneven, expressive look that hand-shaping leaves behind.

Hand-painted nativity figures like these belong to Peru's long Christmas craft tradition, where the nacimiento is set out at home each December and built up over the years with new saints, animals, and small devotional pieces. This set works the same way. Place it on a mantel, a bookshelf, a side table, or alongside a nativity scene you already own, and it reads as part of a larger arrangement rather than a single ornament.

The figures are built from dough rather than ceramic, which gives them a lighter feel and a softer, more hand-touched surface. Raised floral detail on the manger, the gloss of the sealed paint, and small differences from one figure to the next are the marks of handwork. No two sets come out exactly alike.

Why This Set Stands Out

• A complete five-piece group: the Holy Family, a cow, and a donkey, ready to display together.
• Painted by hand, so each figure is individually colored and sealed and each set carries its own small variations.
• Bright color and raised floral work in the style of Peruvian Christmas craft.
• Scaled to stand on its own or join a growing nativity collection.

What's Included

• Mary
• Joseph
• Baby Jesus in a floral green manger
• Cow
• Donkey

Five pieces total.

Specifications

• Origin: Peru
• Material: Hand-molded dough
• Finish: Hand-painted, glossy sealed surface
• Pieces: 5 (Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus in manger, cow, donkey)
• Dimensions: [confirm tallest figure height and footprint]
• Use: Indoor decorative display
• Ships from: Taos, New Mexico

How to Display

Group the five figures on a mantel, shelf, console, or holiday table. The small scale lets the set stand alone in a tight space or fold into a larger nativity scene with figures you already own. Keep it indoors.

Care

Display indoors only. Keep away from moisture, direct heat, and long periods of direct sun, since dough and painted surfaces are sensitive to humidity and fading. Dust with a soft, dry cloth. Not edible. Not a toy.

FAQ

Is this set ceramic?
No. The figures are hand-modeled from dough, then painted and sealed with a glossy finish.

How many pieces are included?
Five: Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus in a manger, a cow, and a donkey.

Where is it made?
Peru.

Can it be displayed outdoors?
No. This is an indoor decorative set and should be kept dry.

Each set is shaped and painted by hand, which is why no two are identical. Part of the curated folk and devotional objects at fromtheandes.net.

Explore more in The Peru Collection and Objets d'Art.