Important Sicilian Nativity Scene With 24 Figures, By Giovanni Antonio Matera (late 17th Centur

An important Sicilian nativity scene group consisting of 24 figures, created in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, attributed to the workshop of Giovanni Antonio Matera (Trapani, 1653–1718), one of the finest masters of Sicilian Baroque nativity scenes.
The figures, approximately 10 cm tall, display all the characteristics of 17th-century Trapani production:
• heads, hands, and feet in polychrome terracotta;
• bodies modeled with wire cores;
• draperies in fabric stiffened with gesso, typical of the Sicilian school of the Baroque period;
• some figures are entirely carved from wood, a technique found in the earliest works of the Matera workshop.
The animals, between 5 and 7 cm tall, are all carved from wood, including horses, sheep, goats, and cattle. The careful carving and proportions directly hark back to the production of the Trapani workshop in the late 17th century, making this collection particularly rare and sought-after.
Group composition:
• Holy Family
• Three Wise Men
• Numerous shepherds and wayfarers
• Various carved wooden animals
• Minor figures and scenes of rural life
For a total of 24 antique elements.
The scenery (mountains, base, and architecture) is a later creation, dating back to the early decades of the 20th century, and serves as a display support for the original figures.
Condition: Good overall condition, with normal signs of aging consistent with the period.
Provenance: Private Sicilian collection.
A fascinating and rare work, ideal for collectors of antique nativity scenes, Sicilian Baroque art, and devotional sculpture from Southern Italy.
MEASUREMENTS
• Figures: 10 cm
• Animals: 5–7 cm
(For additional photos, please inquire privately)