#30 • Fontanini 27" Scale King Balthazar - Rare Italian Nativity Figure

Part of Step back in time: Vintage holiday decor, clothing, art glass, and more! (timed auction by Lux Auctions)

High bid $350.00

Status: Sold

Category: Holiday, Seasonal

One of the visiting "Three Kings" or "Magi," this King Balthazar of Macedonia (Somalia), made by Fontanini, bears a gift of myrrh in a gold urn with black and red design. His blue/green cloak is fastened with a red pin, and his light blue robe is accented with red and gold trim, and he wears red shoes. The base is marked with the Fontanini logo, copyright 1989, and "Made in Italy," while the artist signed his robe. The figure is damage-free, and dimensions are 25" tall x 12" wide x 14" deep. There are 9 other lots in the auction that have more pieces to this set. This spectacular 27" scale Nativity series was made by the House of Fontanini, Italy, a Tuscan family business since 1908. All figures in these lots were treated with a brown wash and are matte rather than glossy. Skillfully hand painted in wonderful detail, figures are made of a marble-based resin, the larger figures having a hollow plaster-type feel and the smaller having a more resilient plastic touch. In this series each figure has a prominent Fontanini logo, copyright date, and often an artist name, and larger figures stand on sturdy 1.25" tall bases. *Please note- shipping is available, however these are large pieces.