—In compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation of the EU—
I use my own cookies 🍪 and those of Google Analytics,, to improve my services and the personalization of content when browsing my website (e.g., language, log in)
To continue browsing and enjoy a personalized experience, it is necessary to accept the use of these cookies 🍪. By clicking on Accept 🍪, you consent to their use in accordance with my cookie policy.


Accept 🍪


×




☰ Menu

The Piper





Joan Amades (1946) writes:
«He is the quintessential nativity musician, both in hand-modeled figures and those made with molds. Amadeu has a remarkable figure of a shepherd playing the bagpipes, or "sac de gemecs," as the people call it, among many other names. Other nativity traditions also recognize the bagpiper, as he appears in Provençal, Germanic, Sicilian, and Czech nativity scenes. The bagpiper was the great musician of our mountains and flatlands, and to the sound of his bulky and plaintive instrument, many generations of our ancestors danced. It is no surprise, then, that popular imagery often represents him among the characters that make up the ensemble, as seen in printed sheets teaching the "contrapàs" dance, as well as in rhymes and tiles.

This figure is one of the most difficult to create with a mold because the instrument is labor-intensive and intricate, requiring a certain finesse to give it the proper look and ensure it fits well in the hands of the character.» (p. 294). [1]

Milà Barruti - Laura Vinyoles (1980) writes:
«Along with the flute player, the bagpiper is the most important musician in the nativity scene. He plays the bagpipes, or "sac de gemecs," an instrument that is quite difficult to reproduce and to properly position in the figure’s posture. The bagpiper had been the great musician of the mountains and plains, accompanying songs and dances at village festivals.

In addition to these, there are also representations of others with various instruments, such as the tambourine, violin, or guitar, depending on the popularity of these instruments in different regions. In Naples, it was almost mandatory to include scenes of blind beggars playing music, as well as the figure of the guitarist. Catalan figures rarely depict the guitarist because it is an instrument with very little tradition in this country. In Murcia, despite its popularity, it is also rarely represented, likely due to Catalan influence.

Years ago, it was very common to include a group dancing the sardana in front of the stable in Catalan nativity scenes. » (p. 58)[2]

The Bagpiper: The Musical Soul of the Mountains in the Nativity Scene


Among the figures that bring the nativity scene to life, there is one character who stands out not for bringing a physical offering, but for the intangible gift of music: the bagpiper, the musician who, with his bagpipes, fills the shepherds’ adoration with harmony. His deep, plaintive sound is an ancient melody that connects the past with the present, the heavens with the earth, bringing the joy and serenity of an instrument that has accompanied generations.

In many traditions, especially in our lands, the bagpiper has been an iconic figure. For centuries, in the mountains and plains, village festivals were celebrated to the sound of his bagpipes, a complex instrument rich in history. It accompanied dances, songs, and celebrations, uniting communities with its unmistakable sound. It is no surprise, then, that the figure of the bagpiper is essential in the nativity scene: he brings the music that wraps around the stable, creating a magical atmosphere that elevates the shepherds’ adoration.

In the nativity, this bagpiper is not just any musician; he is the quintessential musician. Whether hand-modeled or made with a mold, his figure is always unique, with the bagpipes inflated in his hand, as his soft, plaintive notes float through the cold night air. Unlike other figures, crafting his instrument requires special skill, as it is difficult to faithfully reproduce. Yet his presence is indispensable. He is the musical soul of the nativity scene, the one who brings life and emotion to the scene with his notes.

Joan Amades describes the bagpiper as an omnipresent character in the musical traditions of Catalonia and many other parts of the world. His music not only made our ancestors dance, but also accompanied daily life in the valleys and at village festivals. With his bagpipes, this shepherd represents a connection to popular roots, carrying the sound of an instrument deeply tied to the land.

When people look at the nativity scene, they often focus on the tangible offerings of the shepherds, but it is the music of the bagpiper that creates the atmosphere, that brings the scene to life. His sound is a song of joy, but also a nostalgic melody, as if remembering the times when this music united villages and generations. The bagpipes are not just an instrument; they are a bridge between the past and the present, a tribute to all the festivals, dances, and songs that have marked the history of our lands.

The bagpiper doesn’t need to bring material gifts to Baby Jesus. His gift is his music, an offering that, in its simplicity, is as valuable as any treasure. His melody is a praise, a way of saying that music is a divine gift that transcends material goods. He symbolizes celebration and communion through the art of music, adding a touch of joy and tradition to the nativity scene.

Image Gallery

{1 / 6}
cat-010-el-cornamusaire/el-cornamusaire-x-emili-sole-1.webp
{2 / 6}
cat-010-el-cornamusaire/el-cornamusaire-x-emili-sole-2.webp
{3 / 6}
cat-010-el-cornamusaire/el-cornamusaire-x-emili-sole-3.webp
{4 / 6}
cat-010-el-cornamusaire/el-cornamusaire-x-emili-sole-4.webp
{5 / 6}
cat-010-el-cornamusaire/el-cornamusaire-x-emili-sole-5.webp
{6 / 6}
cat-010-el-cornamusaire/el-cornamusaire-x-emili-sole-6.webp

The Piper/1
The Piper/2
The Piper/3
The Piper/4
The Piper/5
The Piper/6

Limited Edition:

#/0

  • This figure is made exclusively to order; I don’t keep stock.
  • Each piece is personally crafted as an original work of art, so delivery times may vary due to different factors. Once you place your order, I’ll provide you with an exact delivery date.
  • Every piece is one-of-a-kind: signed, numbered, and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. It also includes Intellectual Property registration to guarantee its value and originality.
Material
Reproduced with the highest quality UV resin. Then, each figure is carefully hand-painted by myself. emili solé with acrylic paint. Rembrandt from the prestigious Royal Talens house, ensuring the highest quality in every detail. Each brushstroke is an expression of my creativity and love for sculptural art, and each figure is a unique and authentic representation of my work, without the intervention of seconds or thirds. Don't settle for crafts, where you don't know who has reproduced or painted it; choose an authentic artwork, created by a sculptor with passion and dedication.

Rembrandt acrylic paint is a high-quality artist's paint that meets the strict requirements of today's artists.
This acrylic paint is made with a high concentration of premium pigments that offer the highest degrees of lightfastness. Over 100 years of lightfastness under museum conditions.
Lightfastness has been tested according to ASTM D4303 standard.

Complete Acquisition Value - All Inclusive

All-Inclusive

  • ✔   VAT
  • ✔   Packaging with wooden box.
  • ✔   Shipping.
  • ✔   Transport Insurance.

Height Scale Scale 1/X Value
9 1/20 90€
12 1/15 187€
18 1/10 280€
25 1/7 680€

If you're interested in another size or a figure made of terracotta or bronze, please contact me for more information. Also, if you have any questions about the creative process, I'm happy to share more details.

Warning! The values of the figures on the website are subject to change without notice due to their exclusivity and demand.



Order the figure of:
“The Piper”

Order

INFORMATION ON: Protection of personal data.

The website of Emili Solé's sculpture studio is responsible for the file in which your personal data will be included, as well as for their processing.

Any information I have access to that allows me to identify you, such as name, surname, email address, address, phone numbers, device type, etc. (hereinafter, "Personal Data") will be stored and used in accordance with this Privacy Policy, the basic aspects of which are as follows:

Emili Solé Carcolé
Paratge Clot de la Plana No. 1,
17179 Riudaura
(Girona - Spain)
Contact phone:
Email:

Privacy Note: I have chosen not to include sensitive contact information directly on my website with the aim of reducing the risk of bots or scrapers collecting this information for unwanted purposes such as spam or phishing. For this reason, if you have any legal inquiries or customer service-related questions, I invite you to email me at legal[at]emilisole[dot]art.


Purposes of processing: Order management, purchase, and shipping management.

Only the essential data for processing the shipment of the order to Correos.es is stored correos.

Your Personal Data will be kept in my file as long as the relationship with you is maintained, and if you ask me for their deletion.

Manage the compliance and execution of the purchase contract of the statues acquired by you on the website of Emili Solé's sculpture studio.

Contact you by phone, email, or other equivalent means of communication regarding the statues you have ordered or acquired.

If you have subscribed to my newsletter, inform you about any news exclusively related to the website of Emili Solé's sculpture studio, via email or any other means of communication accessible by the data you have provided.

I'd like to emphasize that my website is not an online store or a conventional art gallery. It's a platform where you can directly purchase my figures, without intermediaries. Therefore, you can directly contact me via email or Whatsapp, and I'll be delighted to assist you and help you with anything you need.

Order by Email

Order via Whatsapp

whatsapp

I will respond as soon as possible, Thank you.


Postscript

Do you want to add the magic of traditional music to your nativity scene? The figure of the bagpiper is the perfect choice. With his bagpipes, he brings harmony and joy to the adoration scene, connecting the past with the present through a melody that captivates every heart. Add him to your nativity scene and let his plaintive music fill your home with warmth and tradition.

Referències / Fonts Consultades