Hand-Painted Nativity Ox Dellarte Ceramics, 20 cm

This hand-painted 20 cm Nativity ox by Dellarte Ceramics. This nativity animal figure of an ox, crouched in a peaceful and reassuring position, is an essential element in a Nativity scene. Carefully modeled and hand-painted, the sculpture captures the softness of the animal's forms through warm shades of honey, ochre, and ivory, further brightened by the glossy finish of the crystalline glaze. Every detail, from the folds of the mantle to the gentleness of the gaze, is the result of skillful craftsmanship. Crafted from Faenza ceramic, this figure undergoes a precise process, starting from slip, a mixture of liquid clay poured into plaster molds. After drying, the shape is manually refined and subjected to an initial firing at 1000°C, followed by decoration with non-toxic glazes. Immersion in transparent crystalline glaze protects and enhances the surfaces, making them shiny and durable. After a second firing at 920°C, the finishing in 10% pure gold leaf is completed with a final firing at 720°C. This nativity ox is created by Dellarte Ceramics, a family-run artistic workshop based in the province of Rovigo. Founded by Paola Zaghi, a passionate teacher of Art History and Painting Design, the company has been transforming Italian ceramic tradition into objects of rare beauty for over twenty years. Perfect for enhancing your Nativity scene with an authentic and precious touch.