Manger Scene Appraisal

Baby Jesus in Manger Figurine

This item is a decorative figurine depicting the infant Baby Jesus lying in a manger. It appears to be constructed from a ceramic or resin material, likely cast from a mold and then hand-painted. The color palette primarily includes muted tones: a flesh tone for the baby, light brown and tan for the manger, and a soft blue for the swaddling or blanket. The physical characteristics show a relatively small, compact piece designed for display, likely as part of a Christmas nativity set. The baby figure is depicted with chubby limbs, a round face, and light brown hair. Notable features include the gold-colored halo with a six-pointed star radiating around the baby's head, indicating its religious significance. The manger is textured to resemble straw, and the blue blanket beneath the baby has sculpted folds, suggesting detail in its construction. There is a visible chip or damaged area on the right side of the halo, near the baby's temple, which appears to have exposed the base material underneath. This is a clear condition issue. The craftsmanship is indicative of mass-produced decorative items, with painted facial features that are somewhat idealized but not highly realistic. There are no visible maker's marks or signatures in the provided image. Based on its style and common production methods for holiday decor, this item likely dates from the late 20th to early 21st century. It exhibits a somewhat naive, folk-art inspired aesthetic, common in many commercially available Christmas decorations.