Fontanini by Roman Inc., Matthew, 5" Shepherds Collection, Nativity Figure and Accessories, Hand Sculpted and Painted

I began collecting Fontanini creche figurines the year I purchased my first house. I began with Baby Jesus - one piece. That was all I could afford at the time. It has been 21 years adding one piece each year and I must say I get excited every year to arrange the figurines in just the perfect spot in my display, always waiting for my newest addition so the scene is just 'perfect'. I guess some would say it is like playing with a doll house for a grown woman but I don't care. I love my Nativity display and it is the first 'chore' on my list of things to do the day after Thanksgiving - set up my creche so I can enjoy it for a long time, right through the Feast of the Epiphany.I collect the 5" scale figurines because of space issues, but have added depth and dimension by using some of my Dickens Village trees, shrubs, snow-covered-mountains and such to expand it.That being said, there was a slight glitch with Matthew finding his way to my house. The day I expected him to arrive I was all giddy and excited but he never came. (Sort of like some of my long-ago dates...giggle)!! However, there was a very large box on my front step from this same company that had some weight to it and I was a bit confused. It so happens that all along, Matthew had been stuffed into my curbline mailbox and was snug and cozy in there with my mail and the large box was, in fact, a Fontanini stable/manger - of the 10.5" scale sent to my address in error. The packing slip inside was clearly for someone a few states away. A quick email sent off to both Amazon and the seller resulted in almost immediate responses from both and a mutually agreeable solution offered by the seller that I felt was overly generous and very much appreciated in these hard economic times.Now, on to Matthew. He is the polymer (I, too, miss the ceramic figurines of years ago as my Holy Family is ceramic), but I have to admit I have dropped some of these newer ones over the years and you would never know it. They don't break or crack and the paint doesn't chip. I thought when they began using this polymer the paint would appear different or wear off but these pieces blend perfectly with the older ones. Unless touching the different pieces, one would never know they are made of different materials.I have a 'shopping list' of the pieces I want in the next few years, but with them being so expensive I will have to just be patient and continue my annual decision-making and single purchase.If you've got Fontanini, you will understand my eagerness. If you don't, I highly recommend you check into it. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Now, on to dream over the exotic travel animals of the Magi I recently found: Bejeweled camel, elephant and steed. Whew! Better save my $$$ for next year.Merry Christmas and God Bless.

I've had a Fontanini nativity packed away for years and decided to get it out this year. I had everything but a shepherd. It fits in perfectly. The prices have definitely gone up but that's to be expected.

High quality shepherd. Nicely painted figure with well painted face completing my nativity collection

I inherited a 5" Fontanini nativity set in the mid 1990s and added representative figures as my family grew due to marriage and grandchildren. The current figure for a new addition is of the same high quality as the originals and fits right into the set.Price seemed a bit high but compared to the originals (have the receipts) it is actually less than the inflation rate. Amazon's description and delivery date were right on.

I love my Fontanini!! I have been a collector since 1995 when I recieved the Holy Family one Christmas and my village has been growing every year. I added St Matthew and his sheep this year and he looked great awaiting the birth of Jesus. Thanks for the fast delivery.

I needed a shephard to go with my nativity scene and this one is perfect. I put him with the other fontanini sheep and it looks good.

Good

Great detail,sturdy gift for a love one w/ a son named Matthew