Teodora Blanco Clay Nativity

Teodora Blanco created unpainted pottery figures in her own style. She became famous for her work, which added many clay details to her features. She died in 1980. She inspired other family members to make pottery figures, but Teodora’s work was, and remains, unique.  
There are quite few pieces to this nativity, and it is large in scale, so large that I could not put all the figures in one photo. The Holy Family shows both Mary and Joseph covered with clay flowers. Joseph carries a flowering staff. The two kneeling shepherds each hold a lamb. The hats of all these figures rest on their backs. Baby Jesus does not come out of his bed. His bed is signed by Teodora with her initials TB. The tallest figure in this group is six and a half inches tall (16.5 cm.). 
 
There are three mounted wise men. One is on a horse, one on a camel and one on a horse. Each wise man carries a gift and wears a crown, and an elaborate cape decorated with clay flowers. The tallest mounted wise man is nine and a half inches tall (24.5 cm.). 
 
There are three Archangels with wings and crowns. Each is decorated with clay flowers. One holds a sword, one holds a star, and one holds a fish and has a small animal on a leash. All of them have clay flowers on their robes and clay necklaces. Each one is about seven and a half inches tall (19 cm.). 
 
There are three peasant women holding gifts. Each has a fancy apron adorned with clay flowers. Each has clay jewelry and long clay braids. Their hats lie against their backs. They are about six and a quarter inch tall (16 cm.). There are four pottery birds, each one slightly different. A typical bird is about two and a half inches tall (6 cm.) 
 
There are three animals associated with a nativity, the Ox, the Ass, and the Sheep. Teodora would have seen such barnyard animals every day, so she was familiar with their anatomy. The Ox is the largest, about six inches tall to the tip of his horns.