Pasturi tat-Tafal - Traditional Clay Figurines for Nativity Scene
Crib building is an old tradition in Malta. The main influences were the Neopolitan style and the Sicilian style. The first artistically made figurines were unique but very expensive. Later on talented craftsmen made plaster moulds that were filled with clay. These figurines were produced in large numbers and were sold for a penny. Which is why they are still known today as il-pasturi tas-sold.
In the second half of the 20th century mass produced figurines made of modern materials and with modern methods were introduced. Besides the novelty of the material, the mass produced figurines usually had sweeter forms compared to the hand made clay figurines. Many people replaced the hand made figurines with the modern ones. The craftsmen had to stop making clay figurines as no one bought them any more. Many of the older figurines were simply threwn away. Others were given to young children for their little crib.
Only few of the old figurines are still around today and they are usually highly charished by their owners because of the good memories they bring. These owners are usually the grown children themselves who had the foresight of taking care of these humble treasures.
A few months after I opened my studio a smart man named Victor entered and we started talking. He happened to be one of the craftsmen who used to make the pasturi tas-sold. A few weeks later he came back with a dozen of clay figurines that he made. On seeing them I could feel that he had made these figurines with great care and I was flattered to have them in my shop window. Most passers by began to stop and admire these figurines. This gave Victor the motivation to start making these figurines again. towords the end of 2007 he asked my wife Michelle to help him with the painting of the figurines.
To view detailed photographs click here http://www.freewebs.com/ilbottegintasanmartin/apps/photos/
