Types of animal figures for the nativity scene
The depiction of rural and pastoral life offers a rich variety of subjects to enhance every corner of the landscape. Farmyard and stable animals include oxen, donkeys, cockerels, hens with chicks, and turkeys, perfect for placing close to the nativity shelter or along village paths. To bring hillsides and clearings to life, flocks of standing, grazing, or resting sheep, accompanied by the faithful sheepdog, create an evocative display alongside the shepherds. The catalogue also includes woodland creatures such as foxes, owls, rabbits, and squirrels for mountain scenery, as well as majestic travel animals like horses and elephants to accompany the procession from the East.
Guide to choosing proportions and sizes
Selecting the correct proportions is essential to preserve the harmonious perspective of the display. The sizes indicated for each animal are calibrated to the height scale of the standing human figures with which they are paired. When choosing a figure in a specific size in centimetres, this value does not correspond to the animal's physical height, but rather to the height of the reference adult figure, such as Saint Joseph or the standing shepherds. To achieve a harmonious ensemble, always check the series of your wood-carved nativity scene sculptures and arrange the elements carefully, placing smaller creatures around the wooden nativity stables and houses or in the scenic foreground.
Frequently asked questions
Which animals are traditionally included in the nativity scene?
In addition to the ox and donkey in the stable beside the baby Jesus's crib, the nativity scene traditionally includes flocks of sheep with sheepdogs and numerous farmyard or grazing animals.
How do you choose the right size of animals for your nativity scene?
The specified size refers to the height of the standing human figures in the series and not the height of the animal itself. You should purchase animals in the same size category as your figurines to maintain the correct visual proportions.
What materials are Dolfi nativity animals made from?
The sculptures are crafted mainly from maple wood typical of Val Gardena woodcarving, hand-finished and hand-coloured to highlight the grain and anatomical details.
