This set of saint figures is a Nativity, the Holy Family: Mary, Joseph and Jesus on a bed of straw (all hand-carved of wood). All such figures were originally acquired by individuals for inclusion in their homes’ private shrines in Viet Nam. In almost every part of Asia it is customary for families to have a religious shrine in or right outside of their house. Since most people in Asia are Buddhist or some other non-christian religion, most shrines are Buddhist. However, Catholics have similar corresponding shrines. If a family is relatively poor their shrine - be it Buddhist or Catholic - will be a small corner of a room in their house. The wealthiest people have entire rooms devoted exclusively to their shrines in which case for Buddhists it’s a temple in their house; for Catholics it’s a chapel.

Most people associate Catholicism in Viet Nam with the French colonial period, which is very much the case. However, Jesuits from all over Europe brought Catholicism to Asia 500 years before that. The Catholic tradition in Viet Nam and all the other Catholic populations of Asia is well established. The Catholic population of Vietnam is only about 8% of the total but that is about 7 million people. During certain periods of their history Catholics have been some of the most influential people in the country. One of the largest concentrations of Catholics in Viet Nam is in the province of Nam Dinh, a short distance south of Hanoi, on the coast. Although we are unable to trace the origin of all the saint hands and heads we have there is a high probability that they come from this area. 

We purchase these from dealers in Hanoi. Those dealers purchase them from dealers who are resident in the provinces. We have no way to ascertain the age of each piece but we are confident that, conservatively, they are at least 50 years old. They could very easily be much older; there is absolutely no doubt they are authentic, vintage Vietnamese Catholic shrine objects.

We have a full range of Vietnamese Catholic ecclesiastical material: full saint figures in all sizes, crucifixes, tabernacles, shrine enclosures, ecclesiastical textiles including chasubles. We also have Vietnamese Buddhist objects as well. Please ask us for more information.

The Mary figure measures 15 5/8 x 10 x 6 5/8" (40 x 25 x 17 cm). The Joseph 17 x 9 x 7" (43 x 23 x 18 cm). Jesus 7 7/8 x 3 3/4 x 2 1/8" (20 x 9.5 x 5 cm). The "straw" bed 12 3/4 x 9 x 1 3/8", a set of 4 separate objects.