At the City Gates

This Nativity scene takes place in an underground church located within a townscape amid alpine scenery; the whole is installed inside a display case. Nativity scenes like this are typical of the region around Králíky in the present-day Czech Republic. Czech Republic, 1873, wood, cardboard, paper, painted. Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel

© Swiss National Museum

Rock Shelter

Twigs draped with painted fabric replicate a simple rock shelter here. This Nativity scene is not primarily artistic in intent; instead it seeks to give form to the vision of Christ’s birth. Here he comes into the world in the safety of a rock shelter. Nuns of Heiligkreuz Convent, around 1930, wood, papier-mâché, painted, plaster figures. Heiligkreuz Convent, Cham

© Swiss National Museum

Agate Miniature

The golden aura of Mary, Joseph and the Christ Child glows in the natural surroundings of a sparkling cave as the shining star of Bethlehem passes overhead. Agate is a semi-precious stone that is believed to have healing and protective properties. Anonymous maker, date unknown, possibly 20th c., agate, metal. Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel

© Swiss National Museum

Senegalese Stable

The setting for this Nativity is a basic shelter with a thatched roof. In keeping with their country of origin, Senegal, the Holy Family are black and wear traditional clothing. Training centre for young people, Senegal, undated, clay, painted, glazed. Heiligkreuz Convent, Cham

© Swiss National Museum

Oriental Ruins

There are five sections to this large folding Nativity scene. The semi-derelict stone architecture is overrun with flowering creepers and palm trees. The main motif is the Holy Family surrounded by the Three Wise Men, shepherds, and angels. Anonymous maker, around 1900, cardboard, paper, printed, embossed, punched. Weihnachtssammlung Doris Albrecht-Mäder, Männedorf

© Swiss National Museum

Snow-covered Brick House

Light from inside the house shines upon this Nativity scene. The half-timbered, red-brick house offers the Holy Family a place of shelter. The building, stable and fir trees create an atmospheric ensemble. Probably Germany, around 1920, cardboard, paper, printed, embossed, punched. Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel

© Swiss National Museum

Vertical World

Inspired by church candle frames and models depicting miners’ parades, so-called Christmas pyramids evolved during the 19th century in the Ore Mountains of Saxony (Germany). Scenes from the life of Christ and events involving the local population are arranged on several rotating tiers. Anonymous maker, Ore Mountains (former GDR), around 1950, wood, painted. KrippenWelt Stein am Rhein

© Swiss National Museum

Church in a Winter Forest

This paper Nativity scene gives the impression of a chance encounter with the Holy Family in the depths of a snowy forest. Visually, the scene is dominated by the trees in the foreground that form the space for Christ’s birth in front of a Gothic church. Anonymous maker, 1910–1920, cardboard, paper, printed, embossed, punched, gelatine sheet. Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel

© Swiss National Museum

Peruvian Cave

Here a cavern serves as Christ’s birthplace. At the same spot, a spirit healer has sought out the spirits on a high mountain summit only to discover Jesus in the bowels of the Andes. The message here is that indigenous religion and Christianity are close to one another and are not mutually exclusive. Peruvian folk art from the High Andes, 1960–1980, clay, painted. KrippenWelt Stein am Rhein

© Swiss National Museum

A view of the exhibition

© Swiss National Museum

A view of the exhibition

© Swiss National Museum

A view of the exhibition

© Swiss National Museum