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Last updated 27/3/2026

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This page is being used to collect material about the life and paperfolding of Natividad Sanchez Ferrero. It is not intended to be in any sense a complete biography. Please contact me if you know any of this information is incorrect or if you have any other information that should be added. Thank you.

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Natividad Sanchez Ferrero was a nun living in Morocco when she designed the figures shown below. In her childhood she had lived in Salamanca and was friendly with some of Miguel de Unamuno's children. The date she designed the figures is not known. However, we know it was during Miguel de Unamuno's lifetime since, according to Felisa de Unamuno, he kept a copy of the Moor at Prayer figure in his wallet. (Information from Juan Gimeno.)

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Chronology

1956

'Paper Magic' by Robert Harbin, which was published by Oldbourne in London in 1956, contained diagrams for two designs provided to him by Felisa Unamuno which were said to be by a 'pupil of Unamuno'. This 'pupil' was Natividad Sánchez-Ferrero.

The Moor at Prayer

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The Moor at the Fireside

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1964

A slightly different version of the Moor at Prayer appears in 'Secrets of Origami', by Robert Harbin, which was published by Oldbourne Book Company in London in 1964. In this case the text notes 'I understand from Senor Elias Gutierrez Gil that this model was folded by Miguel A Salvatella, who is the author of a fine book on paperfolding.'

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