I have frequently written about the Palace of Iturbide, the colonial mansion which is now the headquarters of the Bank of Mexico's Cultural Promotion Program. Several times a year, free cultural exhibits are held here. One of the most anticipated shows is their presentation of Nativity scenes each holiday season. The courtyard of the palace is filled with hundreds of Nativity scenes which display the talent and creativity of artisans from all over Mexico.
As you enter you are greeted by a large "Christmas tree" composed of metal sculptures of angels.
This Nativity is from the town of San Bartolo Coyotepec in the state of Oaxaca. The town is famous for its black pottery. The figures are dressed in traditional Oaxacan attire. The three kings wear the costume of the feather dancers.
In this Nativity, made of clay figures from Tlaquepaque in the state of Jalisco, the baby Jesus is serenaded by mariachi musicians.
Another Nativity scene from Tlaquepaque
A plate from Tonalá, Jalisco
The Day of the Dead meets Christmas.
Look carefully, and you will see that the Nativity figures painted on this ceramic cat from Tonalá are all skeletons.
The town of Metepec in the State of Mexico is renowned for its intricate Tree of Life sculptures made of clay. The exhibit had a collection of numerous Trees of Life with a Nativity theme.
This small "Tree of Life" is less than a foot tall, but look at the painstaking detail on it.
Carved wood figures from Mexico City
This Nativity in the form of a small church altarpiece is from Izamal in the state of Yucatán.
Elegantly dressed wooden figures from San Miguel de Allende in the state of Guanajuato
A Nativity niche from Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl, a suburb of Mexico City
The Nativity characters perform a ribbon dance (similar to a maypole dance) in this piece from Izamal, Yucatán.
In this wooden sculpture from the state of Oaxaca, the characters are perched on a cactus.
This angel comes from San Martín Tilcajete, a town in Oaxaca famous for its intricately painted wooden "alebrijes".
These whimsical carvings from the town of San Agustín de las Juntas, Oaxaca, show the Nativity characters taking a ride on a Ferris wheel, a bicycle and an airplane.
A Nativity chess set from Izamal, Yucatán
A carrousel from Izamal
A clay Nativity scene from Santa María Atzompa, Oaxaca
A clay Nativity car from Tonalá, Jalisco
The town of Ticul in the state of Yucatán is known for making clay replicas of ancient Mayan figures. Here the Nativity characters are represented as Mayas.
Clay Nativity from Tonalá, Jalisco
Clay figures from Santa María Atzompa, Oaxaca
More to come from the Nativity exhibit at the Palace of Iturbide...
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