#32 • Fontanini 27" Scale King Melchior - 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 Melchior of Persia, made by Fontanini, bears a gift of gold in small, red decorated casket on a blue pillow. He is richly dressed in a red cloak with blue accents, a maroon, fur-lined robe, a gold crown, and fine jewelry. 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 27" tall x 11" wide x 11" 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.