Pair of 18th C. Italian Baroque Neapolitan Crèche Leather Figures of Merchants

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Pair of 18th-Century Italian Baroque Neapolitan Crèche Figures of Merchant Men in Leather

A rare and expressive pair of 18th-century … Read more Pair of 18th-Century Italian Baroque Neapolitan Crèche Figures of Merchant Men in Leather

A rare and expressive pair of 18th-century Italian Baroque crèche figures, likely originating from Naples, long celebrated for its elaborate nativity scenes. Each figure is meticulously hand-modeled from leather—a technique favored in Neapolitan artisan workshops for its ability to convey movement and anatomical realism. These figures likely represented merchants or townspeople.

Standing approximately 13 and 12 inches tall, respectively, the figures are clothed in polychrome-painted turbans and finely detailed garments, including waistcoats and breeches. The attention to dress and gesture is characteristic of the period, with naturalistic folds in the clothing and expressive hand poses that bring a strong sense of lifelike presence and narrative.

Each figure is slightly different in scale and stance, measuring approximately 6 x 5.5 inches and 4 x 4 inches at the base, suggesting they may have been positioned in different parts of a crèche tableau. The faces are wonderfully individualized, a hallmark of Neapolitan craftsmanship that sought to represent a full range of human emotion and social roles.

The use of leather—a rare and fragile material—demonstrates a high level of craftsmanship and survival, making this pair especially desirable for collectors of early Italian devotional art or Baroque period figurative sculpture. With their richly painted features, period costumes, and expressive stances, they are compelling artifacts of Southern Italy’s vibrant 18th-century folk art traditions.

Measures: 6"/5.5" X 13" H
Measures: 12" H 4"/4" See less