Manuel Vigil of Tesuque Pueblo is credited with creating the pueblo-style nacimientos. He made his first set around 1959. Although he may have made a thousand sets in his 30-plus years of production, each set is different. Some sets were made in Plains Indian dress, some in Pueblo-style clothing, some in Colonial-style dress, and some in plain micaceous clay. Traditional to Tesuque Pueblo style, his figures are painted after firing. The micaceous set, however, is not painted, so it was fired after completion of all construction.

Vigil is probably the best-known potter of the 20^th century from Tesuque Pueblo. He learned to make pottery by the age of seven by watching his mother make pottery. He specialized throughout his career in making figurine pieces—storytellers, dancers, and nacimientos.

This set is comprised of 14 pieces—the Holy Family, shepherds, animals and the gift-bearing Kings. It is in original excellent condition.