1855 - Christmas Mountain as a box nativity scene

Christmas Mountain as a box nativity scene Diorama, 18th/19th century, sawn, turned and carved wood, papier-mâché and oil paper, painted in colour, partly gilded in gold, as well as natural materials; richly detailed arrangement as a three-tiered mountain landscape with approx. 60 small nativity figures, a few Mediterranean architectural elements, some paper trees, moss trim, etc.; in the lower section, a cave nativity scene with the Holy Family and the Angel of the Annunciation, surrounded by numerous gift-bearers, shepherds and sheep, crowned by a small temple, housed in a three-sided glazed, brown-and-gold-framed table display cabinet with a curved top and Baroque-style carved decorative elements on the front; glass panels that slide out from the top and a hanging loop; the interior rear wall is painted to resemble a starry sky; the display cabinet has minimal scuffs and some colour transfer, otherwise in good condition for its age; figure height 4 cm; dimensions max. 48 x 30 x 17 cm.