18th Century Italian Maiolica Nativity, a lovely Circular Relief Devotional  Plaque in polychrome Majolica dating back to 18th century, depicting a round Nativity.  The kneeling Virgin with a blue mantle, in an attitude of prayer, with her clasped hands in front of the Child; behind him, we find  the donkey and ox heads and two more figures of winged angels, with a celestial drape, on the left of the plaque.

Saint Joseph is kneeling on the right, behind the Madonna, with one hand on his face. Two other undefined figures in relief on the white background, presumably of angels, surmount the composition of this ancient majolica.

Probably walled in origin, this majolica relief has a circular shape, measuring 42 cm in diameter, it is of Umbrian origin (Central Italy) and comes from a private collection in Milan. It shows breaks, chips and losses, consistent with use and age of 1700; it is  applied on a wooden disk.

Period: 1700

Article size:

depth: 3 cm

diameter: 42.5 cm