Gabriel, Shepherd with Lamb – Fontanini® 18" Collection

Brand: House of Fontanini | Item #53720

Bring the shepherds' journey to Bethlehem beautifully to life with Gabriel, Shepherd #53720 from the Fontanini® 18" Collection. Carrying a lamb tenderly across his shoulders while holding his shepherd's staff, Gabriel captures the humble devotion of those who were among the first to hear the joyous news of Christ's birth.

Created for an impressive 18" scale Fontanini Italian Nativity, Gabriel is crafted from durable polymer and features the expressive sculpting, flowing garments, realistic textures, and storytelling details that make Fontanini figures so memorable. House of Fontanini currently includes Gabriel among its 18" collection, alongside the Holy Family, Kings, angels, shepherds, and animals used to create an expansive Bethlehem scene.

Gabriel Carries His Lamb to Bethlehem

Gabriel is one of those Nativity figures that immediately tells a story.

The shepherd is depicted walking with a lamb resting across his shoulders, one hand gently supporting the animal while the other holds his long shepherd's staff. His layered garments, textured shepherd's clothing, cloak, head covering, sandals, satchel, and carefully modeled expression give the figure remarkable character.

The lamb is especially meaningful. It connects Gabriel to his life as a shepherd while also creating a beautiful visual connection to the symbolism of Christ as the Lamb of God.

Rather than standing formally, Gabriel appears to be caught in the middle of his journey—as though he has just heard the angelic announcement and is making his way toward the manger.

A Shepherd at the Heart of the Christmas Story

The shepherds occupy a special place in the Nativity story. According to the Gospel of Luke, they were watching their flocks near Bethlehem when an angel announced the birth of the Savior. They hurried to find Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus and then shared what they had been told about the Child.

Gabriel helps bring that moment into your Nativity display.

Position him approaching the Holy Family with his lamb, place him among a flock of Fontanini sheep, or create a larger hillside scene with shepherds and angels. His forward-moving pose naturally helps guide the viewer's eye toward the manger.

A Beloved Fontanini Character in Multiple Collections

Gabriel is not limited to a single size. House of Fontanini currently offers the shepherd character across several Fontanini collections, including 3.5", 5", 7.5", 12", 18", 20", 27", and 50" versions or related Gabriel shepherd designs.

The smaller 7.5" version is specifically described by House of Fontanini as “Gabriel with Lamb on Neck Shepherd,” reinforcing the lamb-carrying design as an identifying feature of this beloved Fontanini character.

For collectors of the larger 18" Nativity, Gabriel #53720 offers that familiar character on a scale with enough presence for churches, parishes, institutions, and impressive residential displays.

Build an Entire Bethlehem Around the Holy Family

One of the great joys of collecting Fontanini is that your Nativity doesn't have to end with Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus.

House of Fontanini's current 18" assortment includes Daniel the Shepherd, Gabriel the Shepherd, Rhoda the Shepherdess, Aman the Camel Driver, the Three Kings, angels, sheep, camel, donkey, ox, and the Holy Family, allowing collectors to develop a richly populated Bethlehem scene over time.

Gabriel is an especially effective addition because he connects the shepherds and animals in one figure. Surround him with coordinating sheep and other shepherds to create a pastoral scene that leads naturally toward the manger.

Over a Century of Fontanini Nativity Tradition

The Fontanini story began in the Tuscan hills of Bagni di Lucca, Italy, where Emanuele Fontanini opened his first shop in 1908. From those humble beginnings grew a family-guided Nativity tradition that has continued for generations.

Fontanini figures are meticulously sculpted and molded to capture expressive faces, detailed clothing, realistic animals, and the small accessories that give each character an individual story. Durable polymer makes these large figures practical for seasonal handling while retaining the detailed appearance collectors expect from Fontanini.

That combination of craftsmanship and storytelling makes Gabriel much more than another shepherd. His staff, clothing, movement, and lamb all contribute to the larger story unfolding around Bethlehem.

An Impressive Addition for Church, Parish & Home

The 18" Fontanini Collection is particularly well suited to spaces where a Nativity needs significant visual presence. Gabriel makes a wonderful addition to church sanctuaries and narthexes, parish and chapel displays, religious schools and institutions, large residential Nativities, and heirloom Christmas collections.

Because the 18" collection includes numerous coordinating characters and animals, your display can grow over time rather than being limited to a single Holy Family grouping.

Shop Fontanini at House of Fontanini

When you shop Fontanini at House of Fontanini, you're shopping with a locally owned small business that genuinely loves these Nativity pieces.

For more than 25 years, House of Fontanini has proudly served collectors, families, churches, and parishes from our Minnesota warehouse. We don't simply sell Fontanini—we appreciate the craftsmanship, the tradition, and most importantly, the story these figures were created to tell.

Our mission says it best:

“Telling His Story, one piece at a time.”

Add Gabriel, Shepherd #53720 to your Fontanini Italian Nativity and create a beautiful scene of a faithful shepherd carrying his lamb toward the newborn Christ Child.

Product Details

• Product: Gabriel, Shepherd with Lamb
• Fontanini Item #: 53720
• UPC: 089945289046
• Collection: Fontanini® 18" Collection
• Scale: 18" Nativity Scale
• Character: Gabriel the Shepherd
• Design: Shepherd carrying lamb with staff
• Material: Durable Polymer
• Theme: Fontanini 18" Retail
• Coordinates With: Fontanini 18" Holy Family, shepherds, sheep, angels, Three Kings and stable animals
• Ideal For: Churches, parishes, chapels, religious institutions, large home Nativities and heirloom Fontanini collections

Masterpiece Collection Availability

Please note that larger Fontanini Masterpiece Collection pieces, ranging from approximately 18" through 70", are typically stocked when available. Because of their impressive size, intricate craftsmanship, and higher cost, some items may be available on a special-order basis.

For special-order pieces being sent from the workshop in Tuscany, please allow up to 120 days.

To check current availability of Gabriel, Shepherd #53720, please call our Parish Sales Department at 507-469-9659 or email House of Fontanini. We will gladly check availability for you!