Nativity Scene
Nativity Scene
Restoration Project
Brief History
This life sized wood carved Nativity Scene was first commissioned by Mr. Sanger of Dallas, Texas, in circa 1930 from master wood carver Goffredo Moroder of Orlisei-Val Gardena, a small Tyrolean village near the Italian Swiss Alps. They are carved from large blocks of Larchwood native to the area. After decades of use and storage this Scene was acquired by St. Pius X Church in about 1987. It was initially maintained by artist Cindy Dewan . Christmas of 2009 sparked a renewed interest in refinishing the Scene to it's original beauty by the parishioners of the St Pius X community. A more detailed history can be found at History.
The Sheep
There are 6 sheep in the collection one being held in place by a shepherd. The original paints have faded. Several exhibited broken ears, legs, and separated wooden blocks over time. Previous paint by Mastercraft no longer available. Frazee is in southern California only. Current test batch of paint by Glidden Ultra-Hide #3517 semi-gloss white (2 to 1 mix; paint to naptha) yielded very nice air brush results at 20 psi on test strips. Hooves are handrubbed Winsor & Newton lamp black oils. Tints are with Tints-All pigments.
Donkey
Melchior
The Nubian King has a detachable arm held in place by a steel screw and will be replaced with a jewel on a dowel.
Gaspar
Balthazar
Shepherd
Mary
Joseph
Baby Jesus
Acknowledgements & Credits
Arno Moroder KCIC - Keep Christ In Christmas Tanzende Art Mark Yund
Leo Moroder Susan Mattix St. Pius X Men's Club
Established May 22, 2010 Updated June 9, 2010