Benino the Sleeping Shepherd, 12 cm Neapolitan Nativity Terracotta Figurine
Benino, the sleeping shepherd, for a 12 cm Neapolitan nativity scene, with dimensions 8x7x11 cm. The nativity scene figurine depicts Benino lying asleep, wrapped in his cloak and holding a small flask. In the Neapolitan nativity tradition this character has a special symbolic meaning: according to the tradition, the entire nativity would come to life from Benino's dream. The figure has a terracotta face and limbs and fabric clothing, and is made by Creazioni Paolo e Giulia, an artisanal workshop...
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Benino, the sleeping shepherd, for a 12 cm Neapolitan nativity scene, with dimensions 8x7x11 cm. The nativity scene figurine depicts Benino lying asleep, wrapped in his cloak and holding a small flask. In the Neapolitan nativity tradition this character has a special symbolic meaning: according to the tradition, the entire nativity would come to life from Benino's dream. The figure has a terracotta face and limbs and fabric clothing, and is made by Creazioni Paolo e Giulia, an artisanal workshop tied to the Neapolitan nativity craft. Modeling, painting and dressing are all carried out by hand, following techniques that preserve the historic nativity tradition of Naples. The limited availability of the fabrics used to make the garments makes each piece unique; tones, patterns and small details may therefore vary slightly from the photos, a typical feature of handcrafted production. Benino is one of the characteristic figures of the Neapolitan nativity and is ideal for completing compositions with 12 cm figures, adding a meaningful traditional element to the scene.