Hans and Adolf Heinzeller

The Westminster Abbey crib figures were carved in limewood by Hans and Adolf Heinzeller in Oberammergau, Germany. They were designed by the Abbey's Sacrist Christopher Hildyard and first set up in the Abbey in 1966. The figures were coloured in England by Mr Finney of Campbell Smith & Co. The main figures are about five feet high consisting of the Holy Family, three shepherds (one kneeling) and three kings (one kneeling) with three sheep, an ass and an ox (the last two animals being carved from an old tie-beam from the Abbey roof which was being restored at this time). It has been the custom for some years for the shepherds to be placed in the display for the Christmas period and at Epiphany the kings replace them. The figure of the King in a white robe represents St Edward the Confessor, founder of an earlier Abbey, who offers his ring as a gift.