#624 Compact Nativity

Acquired 2013

Received from my sister, Carole, at my 70th birthday family gathering, was this beautiful silver compact. You would expect it to be a purse mirror or make-up compact. But when it is opened, it reveals a lovely metal nativity set. She found this piece on one her annual Mexican time share trips to Cabo San Lucas. Each of the tiny nine pieces is a very thin hand-painted aluminum and each piece is hinged so that they fold up for display and down into the compact for storage. The opened compact lid becomes the backdrop of the nativity set. The nine pieces includes The Holy Family, Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus, the three kings and three animals. The compact measures about 4” x 5”. Being very different and unique, it is a privilege it is to add it to my collection.