Hand-formed, hand-painted clay figures made by Mayan Indians, purchased in Antiqua de Guatemala, 1999. Mayan women are famous weavers, and the figures show in detail the traditional hand-woven clothing. This nativity has five donkeys or horses, and their carefully painted eyes seem to give them a special awareness of the event. Joseph carries a morrale, this is a man bag that is often used by Mayan men to carry their lunch when heading to the fields (4.5 inches tall including the staff). Three of the pack animals have gifts on their backs. Other gifts offered to the Christ child include a sheep, a pig, and a pineapple. Two of the sheep are quite woolly and seem to be on tip-toe.
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