Karl Hennerbichler, chairman of the Steyr Nativity Scene Friends, tried for twelve years to have the Loahm almonds from Steyr, Garsten and the Enns and Steyr valleys included in Austria’s UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage, and in December it worked. The more than 200-year-old technique of making nativity figures has finally received attention. “It’s a wonderful old custom,” says Hennerbichler, pleased regarding the success. The Loahmmandeln are half-relief figures made of clay or clay and were first documented around 1800.
Image: Forum Folk Culture
During production, clay is pressed into a historical model, fired and painted. “This was a job that knife and nail smiths used to do to earn extra money in the winter,” says Hennerbichler. At the same time, the box nativity scene was created in the region and was placed in the windows or the Lord’s Corner. “That’s why these cribs are also called nail-smith cribs,” says the crib expert.
The production of the figures is a lengthy and difficult matter. “The clay must be kneaded and tapped intensively before use so that no air bubbles are formed. Otherwise the figures can break following firing.” Once the clay is ready, it is pressed into the model, air-dried for four weeks, fired and painted. New replica models can be made from the figures created in this way. Around 400 old models are still kept in the Steyr City Museum.
Nativity exhibitions
- In the Linz Castle Museum 70 nativity scenes from all over Upper Austria can be viewed. Information is available ooekultur.at.
- The Harrachstal Christmas Museum in Weitersfelden shows nativity scenes, Christmas and Gablonz jewelry until January 7th. Open daily 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., except December 24th, Tel. 07952/6406.
- In the home house Perg Christmas icons, small, relief and oriental nativity scenes can be seen until January 7th every Sat/Sun from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. pergmuseum.at
