Model (1 of 2), of Cave of Nativity, Bethlehem

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This model represents the Cave or Grotto of the Nativity under the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Made of wood and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, it dates from the eighteenth or nineteenth century.

The five Maltese crosses on the lid are the arms of Jerusalem.

Souvenirs like this would have been made by Arab Christians, working in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and elsewhere in the Holy Land. Pilgrims would have been able to purchase models of the Cave of the Nativity in Bethlehem or Jerusalem. Such models were also exported by the Franciscans and others, to Catholics in Europe and to Greek and Russian Orthodox Christians.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-935-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1880.47.6 A
• Date: 18th century
  18th or 19th century
  
• Material: Wood
  Model / grotto / cave / portion
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Model / grotto / cave / portion
  
• Subject: Woodwork : ecclesiastical woodwork
  
• Who:
• Where: Middle East, Palestine, Bethlehem
  Middle East, Palestine, Bethlehem (Church of the Nativ
  
• Event:
• Description: Part of a model of the Grotto or Cave of the Nativity under the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem: Holy Land, probably Bethlehem, 18th century
  
• References:
  • Evans, G. Souvenirs From Roman Times to the Present Day. Edinburgh: NMS Publishing Ltd, 1999, pp 8-9. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: