Italian Ceramics and Nativities made in the U.S.A.

IL CAMINO

 17”length x7.5”depth x13”height

This unique Nativity Diorama is Susan Sogaro’s one-of-a-kind mantle piece Diorama.

Though she maintains her traditional Roman style, here she has fused the abstract to the representational to create a small masterpiece.

The foreground is a cobbled Roman ‘borgo’ with the traditional market and homestead on the right, and an ancient Roman arch on the left. Nestling beneath this arch is the traditional Nativity scene that includes the oxen and ass as well as 3 Wise Men.

Behind?  Why...life as usual! A hilly backdrop with small dwellings that pop out of the canvas to entice the viewers’ imagination.

This somewhat Tuscan scene unites the spirit of the Roman Diorama with the romantic notion of peace and serenity of the countryside.

The regality of the Wise men is in stark contrast with the very human and humble coming of the Christ. The shepherd is joining the scene; his lost sheep on his shoulders, and a small number of his herd trotting into the scene before him.

The piece is framed by shs Master Craftsman in a simple and elegant neutral frame so as to enhance the scene without excessive contrast allowing the Diorama to fit in with most household decor.

L'ANGELO STORICO - Mantle Diorama

This Mantel Diorama Susan Sogaro has created is of Historic ambience. It is of small dimensions  (17"lx7.5"dx13"h), exactly like the previous scene, and can be handled easily.

Though the Artist maintains her traditional Roman style, here she has fused the abstract to the representational to create a small Bethlehem masterpiece.

The foreground is desert sand and a palm tree with an everyday setting of dwellings and shops streaming into the background.

The Nativity is sheltered in an old stable, with the Angel (l'Angelo, from which this Diorama takes its name), guarding the Baby from atop.

Mantel piece Diorama with Historic setting.

The scene depicts a Bethlehem of 2000 years ago where the Artist has fused the abstract to the representational to create a small masterpiece, even though her ‘Roman School’ heritage transpires here and there.

The backdrop on a canvas of 24”x12” is that of an Imperial Palace, presumably where Herod reigned in the time of Jesus’ birth.  It overlooks the city where simple buildings are home to normal citizens in the Land of Judah – in great contrast to the opulent Roman Empire structure.

In a corner stable, a makeshift shelter, the Baby is nestled in the manger. He is watched lovingly by Mary and Joseph; shepherds and the Wise Men are nearing the scene. They have been warned by the Angel and the Star of this great event for humanity.

The piece is framed by shs Master Craftsman in a simple and elegant neutral frame so as to enhance the scene without excessive contrast allowing the Diorama to fit in with most household decor.

This Diorama was created by Susan Sogaro in the wake of Hurricane Ike.  It was built in 12 days during which there was no power, cooking ability, pc, internet, telephone or cellular phone connections in her Studio or home. In a time when all people of the Houston - Galveston area were brought to terms with the word HOPE. When real humanity emerged from the rubble of destruction; when we were ‘powerless’ and yet gained so much inner power.  It is a tribute to the hope that helped people survive.

Hence the name:      Nasce la Speranza – Hope is Born!

IL PALIO

Mantelpiece size (17” x 8” x13), Roman School Diorama created by Artist Susan Sogaro of shs Art & Gift.

Though the Artist maintains her traditional Roman style, here she has fused the abstract to the representational to create a small masterpiece. 

The scene has the Siena ‘Piazza del Palio’ (from which this Diorama takes its name) , as a backdrop. The rich earthen colors typical of the Tuscan country reflect the down-to-earth significance of the Birth of Christ.

In the foreground is a homestead, a barn and a stable where Mary and Joseph found refuge in the wake of the Bethlehem census. The animals (traditionally an ox and ass) are warming the Babe with their breath. Hay is strewn all around, and in the distance the Wise Men and Shepherds can be seen coming to pay their homage.

Behind the arch: the cobbles, the countryside, the agriculture and the cycle of life to which Jesus would refer so often in his parables and teachings.

This scene brings together many aspects of Christianity: the traditional Roman crèche, where the Birth of Christ is brought into everyday life as of 1223; the Historic epoch that was the Roman Empire represented by the Roman Arch, and the narration of the New Testament which brings Mary and Joseph into a stable in the midst of farm animals, to lay the Baby in a feeding trough, a wooden Manger.

All component elements are handmade and hand painted except for the figurines and a few landscape elements.  The Diorama has been Custom Framed in neutral wood so as to fit with all furnishing styles. 

LE ORIGINI - Where it all began

This mantel piece Diorama, though having the characteristic scenery of Roman School Nativity Dioramas is a reduced size, (17” x 8” x13) and has a painting as a backdrop.

The Artist, Susan Sogaro has created this masterpiece with  a very special and unique scene that gives its name to this Diorama; the Abbey of Assisi  where the original Crèche is believed to have been created.

In an era of illiteracy, in 1223,  to drive home the astonishing humility with which God embraced the human condition, the Francesco (Francis) of Assisi decided to re-create the Bethlehem experience in a cave among the hills of central Italy. Carrying a small infant in his arms, Francis led the people of Greccio in procession with their various farm animals to a grotto where the Saint made the Christmas liturgy itself a dramatic celebration of the mystery of the Incarnation.

Though Francis considered himself unworthy to be a priest, he had been ordained a deacon so that he could preach the Gospel with the blessing of the Church. At Greccio, wearing the dalmatic, the vestment of a deacon, he proclaimed the Christmas Gospel at Mass and, with his simple gesture of placing an infant in the manger, forever imprinted our hearts and minds with the love of God made flesh in Bethlehem’s tiny child.

Thus Francis began a tradition that persists to this day: the Christmas crèche.

All component elements are handmade and hand painted except for the figurines, and a few landscaping materials.

The Neapolitan Style:

Naples is world renowned for the 17 and 18th. Century Nativity scenes that the wealthy commissioned great artists of that time. 

Today, these Dioramas are housed in Museums as a testimony to this great art.  

Susan Sogaro has created this last Diorama, called La Teca in this unique style for the enjoyment of all. 

A mere 17" in length, this scene is encased in a glass box to enable easy access and viewing. It bears all the traditional  symbols for which Naples is famous: 

- Pagan Temple ruins that express the Birth of Christ overcoming paganism 

- Fountain of water that relates to the  Birth being the 'Fountain of Life' 

- Woman at the fountain reminds us that Mary was called upon by the Archangel while she was taking water at the fountain 

- Food on he table which reiterates the end to our 'hunger'