Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0370-0528D   CAS 0370-0528D; Nativity figurine (donkey)
Category Pottery
Object Name Nativity figurine (donkey)
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 donkey in 17-piece nativity set, shown in standing position; Body of figurine is painted gray and its ears, mane, tip of tail, and hoofs are painted black; Facial features are incised; Figurine 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 = 10.1, Width = 4.6, Length = 13.9