FOR ALL WHO LOVE, OWN OR COLLECT CRECHES Vol. 2, No. 2 GETIING TO KNOW YOU.... Thank you for your response to our first reader's survey. It gave me an opportunity to meet you and learn of your wonderful collections. Please feel free to write and tell us about your finds or your favorite pieces. And, of course, we're always interested in your photos and will publish as many as we can. Our travels over Easter took us to a small beautiful church in Plains, Georgia, to see a special creche. (See this page.) Rita B. Bacher, Publisher
RUSSIAN CARVERS NOW OFFER CRECHES When one thinks of Russian Nativities, the first thought is of a flat, two dimensional painting or icon. No more. Russian carvers now are crafting Nativity figures, and among the first to have discovered them are Dave and June Anderson of Heritage International, Ltd. A few years ago, June and Dave got involved in home-stay exchange programs with Russian professionals. On one of those trips to Russia, Dave's visit took him to the rural village of Bogorodskoye, about 45 miles northeast of Moscow, in the heart of the forest district. A legend about the town's carving roots is that a poor farmer, unable to sell his meager produce, found instead, that merchants wanted to buy the carved toys with which his children played. Always in demand, Bogorodskoye's early 19th century toys are considered classics of Russian folk art. "Woodcarving there is literally hundreds of years old," explains Dave. "There's a story that Peter the Great played with wooden soldiers made in Bogorodskoye." Intrigued on his visit, Dave, with other delegates, decided to bring the delightful carvings to America. "Little did I know when I signed up for this exchange to Russia that I would return home as an international businessman," he jokes. Heritage International, the company Dave helped found and which now is totally owned by him and his wife, imports complex movable toys, tree ornaments, and wonderful creche figures. "We work very closely with the carvers to get our ideas across," explains June. "Both Dave and I visit Russia once or twice a year to assure a consistent quality." Creche figures are carved and painted in rich colors. They demonstrate a delightful combination of centuries old carving skills, Russian folk art, and contemporary designs. A colorful new brochure on the Russian carvings is available. Contact the Andersons at HerintLTD@aol.com or call toll free at 1-888-799-0440.
Summer 1998 PRESIDENT'S CRECHE DISPLAYED IN GEORGIA
Maranatha Baptist Church of Plains, Georgia, is unique in several ways. It is the church where President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter worship; the President still teaches a Sunday School class there, and it displays a rather unique creche. The creche was presented to the Carters in 1987 by The Honorable Elias Friej, Mayor of Bethlehem, Israel. Mayor Friej visited the area because of interest in the Habitat for Humanity, in which the Carters are prominent, and which has its international headquarters in nearby Americus.
Measuring about 23" x 16" x 4", the creche has two panels of intricately carved and inlaid mother-of-pearl. On the left, angels soar above the Holy Family nestled behind formal columns; on the right, Christ sits at the Last Supper. Both scenes are bordered by a lace-like carved filigree whose delicate detail is enhanced by a backing of shimmering foils.
The creche is encased within a frame of grained olive wood from the Holy Land. An inscription notes that it was "Presented to Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Carter from the Municipality ofBethlehem, Saturday, March 28, 1987." A similar hand carved mother-of-pearl piece, but depicting only the Last Supper, was given to the Carters by Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, and is now displayed at the National Park's Carter Historic site in Georgia.
The Carter Creche at Maranatha Baptist Church, Plains, Georgia. Photo courtesy of Dr. Daniel G. Ariail.