Fontanini Nativity

The Fontanini company was founded in 1908 by Emanuele Fontanini in Bagni di Lucca, Italy. The family is known for crafting beautiful and sturdy nativity sets inspired by the artwork of the Renaissance period in Rome and the Mediterranean.

Nativies, or "Presepi", are one of the great traditions of an Italian Christmas. Christmas in Italy is still very much a religious, not a secular, celebration, and seasonal decorations reflect that. By far the most popular Christmas tradition in Italy is the nativity : an art form in itself. You’ll find sometimes very elaborate nativities both inside and outside every home, and in the Christmas markets all over the country.

Initially Fontanini figures were crafted in “papier mâché” but as more durable materials came onto the market they began making their nativity figures of a nearly indestructable and child-friendly polymer resin.

• Modern Fontaninis come complete with a story-card, although many of the older, collectable items don’t.
  
• Older figures are marked on the undersides with a small spider and the words "Depose Italy".
  
• During the 1980s, Fontanini replaced the spider with the Fontannini name, the date of manufacture, and a small fountain.