Fill Occidental Nativity
The Fill Occidental Nativity Scene is a traditional Western nativity scene
Fill Occidental Nativity Scene
Own local production in family-run handicraft company
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Unique crib figurines and high-quality artisan wood carving in South Tyrol
The Fill family has likewise pursued an artisan path since the 1930s. Helmuth Fill discovered his passion for creative woodworking in the workshop of his grandfather, who turned bowls from pine wood. His interest in the symbolism of nativity scenes and colours, in religious and historical influences and in the philosophy behind the nativity scene ultimately grew into a great passion. Over the years, the carving of nativity scenes has thus become the principal focus in this South Tyrolean family workshop. The Fill family identifies itself as part of the Verband der Krippenfreunde (Association of Crib Friends), which has the task of maintaining the crib tradition.
A passion for cribs
Helmuth Fill, from the South Tyrolean village of Laion situated within the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site, is descended from a long line of craftsmen. As a child, he loved the woodturning workshop of his grandfather, who made lime wood bowls, and spent every spare minute there. This passion inspired him to undertake woodworking training in Rosenheim (Germany), and to both continue and preserve an age-old tradition.
His interest in the symbolism of nativity scenes and colours, in religious and historical influences and in the philosophy behind the nativity scene ultimately grew into a great passion. Over the years, the carving of nativity scenes has thus become the principal focus in this South Tyrolean family workshop. The Fill family identifies itself as part of the Verband der Krippenfreunde (Association of Crib Friends), which has the task of maintaining the crib tradition..
Wood is a natural, sustainable raw material which, thanks to its properties, can be used in many varied ways. Erich Fill is responsible for processing wood at Fillarte. First, suitable trees are chosen in mountain forests. The logs are sawn into boards and vacuum dried to guarantee uniform colour quality. They are then cut into smaller, square timber blanks.
Helmuth Fill designs the carvings himself. These designs are then moulded by a master sculptor and long-standing partner of Fillarte from Val Gardena into plasticine figurines. The plasticine model consolidates the idea and at the same time serves as a template for the hand-carved wooden model. This is then cast in bronze and used as a template for reproduction.
In Fillarte’s in-house traditional painting studio, its employees paint, gild, and stain the wood carvings. All the work is done by hand under the direction of Helmuth’s wife, Gertrud. In South Tyrol, the professions of ‘Fassmaler’ and ‘Vergolder’ (traditional painters and gilders of sculptures and carvings) require an apprenticeship. This highly skilled work by trained craftspeople makes each figurine unique.
