European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 16, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Two Young girls inspect some of the Many animals that can make up a. Quot Presepe. Quot Presepe can t put a Price on passion for this uniquely neapolitan Art by sue Palumbo Mediterranean Bureau most adults would hesitate to admit they spend much time admiring collecting arid building Little cities and filling them with dolls a except during christmastime in Naples Italy the tiny carved and painted Clay dolls called Pastori that make up a family Manger scene or Presepe Are More a pastime for parents than children. Presepe became popular in the mid-1700s when priests set out to bring the Quot mystery Quot of the nativity to the people by helping them visualize it. Even the local Royalty observed the tradition by building their own Presepe and visiting those put together by the local churches. But in typical neapolitan style the Standard nativity it Rene of Mary Joseph the baby Jesus shepherds the three Kings and a few barnyard animals soon grew to encompass the town outside the Manger. The mystical City came to life As Bakers butchers fishmongers and fruit Sellers gathered in the marketplace to display their colourful wares. The streets Are tilled with townspeople happily going on about their daily business. Quot the Presepe is a Small City with the nativity scene As the Center and the rest of the Village is left to your fantasy Quot said Antonio Monticelli whose family makes and Sells the Pastori there Are no strict rules governing what should be included in a Presepe some Are very careful to choose figures dressed in the costume of the time but most insist that Only those in the Manger Are meant to be authentic. The rest they say is left to your imagination. As a matter of fact one of this year s hot figures is a likeness of Antonio Dipietro a milanese judge who has led the probe of Italy s Tangent Opolis bribery scandal. The Presepe itself ranges from the simple pieced together with bark and bits of Moss to the elaborate with lights fountains and streams with running water. Sizes vary. Some come enclosed in a Small Glass Bell and others Are 3 and 4 feet Long and just As High. Pastori usually Range from 1 to 6 inches High. Quot it is not the size of the Presepe that counts but the love that is used to put it together Quot said Antonio Ferrara who owns a Small Pastori shop with his wife in what americans Call Quot Christmas  Ferrara s family has been making Pastori for More than 200 years. Like his father before him and his own children Ferrara began forming the tiny figures when he was about 8 years old. In the beginning like most artisans they did not even use holds. But the Pastori have become so popular that it was hard to keep up with the demand. After the Clay is mixed it is placed in a Mold to get the general shape and then details Are refined with a Small razor Blade knife. On a Good Day Ferrara can make 10 to15 Basic Pastori not counting the time it takes to fire them and then paint them. There Are some Pastori like the Baker holding the loaves of bread or the woman carrying a Basket of flow ers on her head that take longer because of the detail. Many Pastori makers have bowed to the pressures of turning out Quantity rather than Quality Farrara said. Some Don t bother to carve out the details and take them directly from the Mold and fire and paint them Quot there Are those customers who Are very Picky about what they buy and insist that every intricate detail be visible Quot said Ferrara. Quot and then there Are those who Don t understand and Don t care so some people give them what they  foreigners tend to be less discriminating about what they buy than the neapolitan who often buy Only one or two pieces a year. Though the baby Jesus is by far the most popular piece several neapolitan personages have also been placed in posterity. Totto a famous neapolitan comic is a big favorite among italian tourists As is the masked Down Pulcinella. Prices for the Pastori Are As varied As the types available. Depending on the detail involved animals Cost about $1 to $2. The people Range from $2 to $30 or More depending on what props accompany the figure. Quot you can t put a Price on passion Quot Ferrara said. Quot the Presepe is a True neapolitan tradition a part of our culture. You Don t look for a perfect piece no human artist can Ever be without flaws