Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 0370-0528C   CAS 0370-0528C; Nativity figurine (Wise Man)
Category Pottery
Object Name Nativity figurine (Wise Man)
Culture Tesuque Pueblo
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. New Mexico
County Santa Fe
Other Geographic Data Tesuque Pueblo
Maker's Name Manuel Vigil (1900-1990)
Date of Manufacture ca. 1960
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Clay; Tempera paint
Description 3-dimensional figurine of a wise man in 17-piece nativity set, shown in standing position and holding a silver box as his offering to the baby Jesus; Figure's facial features are incised and he wears orange head band, pink serape with multi-colored stripes, white pants, lavender shirt, and rust colored moccasins; Hair is knotted behind his head; Figurine is mounted on clay base and is unsigned. This and other figures in this nativity set make up Vigil’s Pueblo-style nativity, but he also made colonial Spanish and Plains Indian style nativity sets.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 12.3, Width = 5.5, Depth = 6.2