Name of the Rose

Creator

Unknown

Preview

Creation Date

Unknown

Medium

clay

Exhibition Label

Generically Latin American and somewhat nondescript, this white and pick nativity set has a message. It speaks in the name of the rose. The rose is a frequent guest in Christmas lore and culture. Known to us from the Old Testament is the Rose of Jericho, also called Holy Night Rose and Mary’s Rose (Sirach 24:18). According to legend it sprang up to mark the passage of the Holy Family. In Dante’s Divine Comedy the white rose (rosa candida) refers to heavenly love, the love that led Jesus Christ all the way to the cross to give his blood in ransom. Ultimately, the rose stands for Jesus Christ himself, for the one who came to bloom in a starry and cold winter night…as he is announced and sung in an old Christmas song.

Description

Seven clay pieces, painted and lightly fired. The figures depict Mary (kneeling), Joseph, Jesus (the manger and Jesus are separate), and three kings. Exhibition label originally written by Fr. Johann G. Roten, S.M. for exhibit entitled "Elisabeth's Nativity House: The van Mullekom Collection" held at Roesch Library, University of Dayton.

Rights

This material may be protected by U.S. (Title 17, U.S. Code) and/or international copyright law. The material is available for personal, educational, and scholarly use. It is the responsibility of the researcher to locate and obtain permission from the copyright owner(s) or heirs for any other use, such as reproduction and publication.