The Raffaello nativity set is one of the most cherished expressions of Val Gardena woodcarving, renowned for its unmistakable rustic Tyrolean style. The sculptures comprising this nativity scene are distinguished by warm, soft lines, sweeping drapery on the garments, and faces that convey serenity and devotion. Each figure in the collection is carved from select wood, predominantly maple, to ensure expressive sculptural detail designed to endure over time.
The collection allows you to assemble the Christmas display starting from the sacred core formed by the Holy Family, featuring Mary in adoration, Saint Joseph with a lantern, and the Baby Jesus in the crib. Alongside the central figures of the Nativity, the collection includes the Three Wise Men bearing their gifts, the angel of glory, and numerous wood-carved nativity sculptures depicting rural life. Notable among these are shepherds, shepherdesses with pitchers, the Good Shepherd with a lamb, and village artisans, together with faithful wooden nativity animals such as the ox, donkey, sheep, goats, and dromedaries. The entire scene finds its ideal setting amongst the characteristic wooden nativity stables and houses typical of Alpine valleys.
To create the nativity scene best suited to your home, it is important to consider both the size of the figurines and the colour palette. The collection is available in three distinct decorative finishes. The natural version highlights the grain and vibrant warmth of untreated wood. The stained version in three shades of brown lends an understated, antique look through warm glazes. The oil-coloured version is hand-painted with soft hues that enhance the details of traditional Alpine dress. Those looking for a compact nativity scene can begin with the essential group, while those with more generous displays can opt for wooden nativity sets from Val Gardena with comprehensive sets that expand the village with new characters over time.
The figures are available in a natural finish in untreated wood, stained in three shades of brown, and in a version entirely hand-painted with oil colours.
Yes, the collection allows you to start with the Holy Family and add individual figurines of shepherds, the Three Wise Men, and animals in subsequent years, preserving the same scale and stylistic consistency.
Most figurines in the Raffaello nativity set are carved from maple wood, a dense, durable timber ideal for defining the finest sculptural details.
