Traditional "bethlehems" (nativity scenes)
from baked clay
Bethlehems depict characters and scenes which have been shown in traditional Czech bethlehems for centuries.
There is the central scene, the three wise men, groups of shepherds and people bringing gifts, and also people going about their daily business such as farming. Bethlehems also display various other scenes from the life of Jesus Christ: the escape to Egypt, the descent from the cross, and Mary weeping over the dead Christ.
The figures are shown realistically in period dress, as stylisations and modernisations (such as moving the action to Central Europe) are avoided in bethlehems.
Bethlehems are constructed from pieces of 10-15 x 12 cm in size, and can be illuminated.
