Sculpture, Pastore Popolano in terracotta Policroma - 38 cm - glass eyes, Earthenware, Silk

A distinctive sculpture depicting a commoner shepherd, in all the magnificence of Neapolitan nativity art from the late 19th to the early 20th century, entirely handmade according to the traditional standards of the period.
The shepherd, dating from between the mid-19th century and the early 20th century, retains the extraordinary craftsmanship of the tradition while featuring more expressive and dramatic facial expressions.
Head, hands, and feet in polychrome terracotta, with rear-painted glass eyes; an iron-wire mannequin covered in tow or straw, ensuring flexibility and dynamism in the pose.
Garments in fine silk, brocade, and embroidered San Leucio fabric, typical of the rich Oriental procession, from a place renowned since antiquity for its fabrics and silks; finely hand-crafted coral earrings.
In the traditional nativity scene, the shepherds serve to portray everyday life in 18th-century Naples, showing that Jesus was born among the humble, the destitute, and ordinary people.
The sculpture is in good overall condition, considering its age and the fragility of the materials. The fabrics show natural patina and fraying due to age, features that attest to the piece's authenticity.
The item will be shipped with appropriate care and parcel tracking.