German Vintage Carved Walnut Miniature Nativity Scene original Teppich figurines This sweet carved soapstone turtle

This sweet carved soapstone turtle seems to me a wonderful little thing to keep on one's desk or shelf as a reminder to take your time--I really can't imagine a truer embodiment of slowness

including this

I don't know anything about this history of this tiny carved pig

with its red tongue confronting you at eye level

boxy and direct

German Vintage Carved Walnut Miniature Nativity Scene original Teppich figurines This sweet carved soapstone turtleI continue to marvel at the wide array of things humans of different cultures do with walnuts! I couldn't resist this example of walnut related ingenuity: a tiny nativity scene, complete with baby Jesus in his crib and the star of Bethlehem shooting in the top left corner! From what I've learned, these are a German tradition, and I'd guess this one dates to the mid 20th century or so. I believe the figures are carved of wood and glued inside, and then