Gloria Angel – Fontanini® 18" Collection

Brand: House of Fontanini | Item #53717

Fill your Nativity with the joyful proclamation of Christmas with the magnificent Gloria Angel #53717 from the Fontanini® 18" Collection. With golden wings outstretched and a flowing “GLORIA” banner held before her, this beautiful angel creates a heavenly focal point above or alongside the Holy Family.

Designed for an 18" scale Fontanini Italian Nativity, the Gloria Angel measures approximately 15.5"H x 10"W x 5"D and is crafted from durable polymer. The graceful pose, richly sculpted wings, flowing garments, and celebratory banner make this an especially striking addition to church, parish, institutional, and large home Nativity displays.

House of Fontanini currently offers the Gloria Angel as part of its 18" Fontanini assortment, and independent catalog information confirms #53717 as the Gloria Angel included with Fontanini's coordinated 18" Nativity collection.

“Gloria” – The Joyful Announcement of Christ's Birth

Few images capture the wonder of Christmas as beautifully as the angels announcing the birth of Jesus.

The Gloria Angel embodies that moment with a dramatic pair of raised wings and a banner bearing the word GLORIA—Latin for “glory.” Her downward gaze and graceful floating posture naturally direct attention toward the manger below, while the banner creates an unmistakable proclamation of celebration.

The design beautifully recalls the angelic praise described in Luke's account of Christ's birth: glory to God and peace on earth.

This makes the Gloria Angel more than an ornamental addition. She helps visually connect the heavenly announcement with the earthly scene unfolding in Bethlehem.

A Spectacular Focal Point for a Large Nativity

At approximately 15.5 inches high and 10 inches wide, the Gloria Angel has enough presence to remain visually striking within a substantial 18" Nativity.

Her expansive wings create width and drama, while the vertical, floating composition contrasts beautifully with Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, shepherds, Kings, and resting animals below. The soft folds of her garments and intricate feather detailing add texture, while the gold-toned wings bring a luminous accent to the scene.

For a church or parish display, position the Gloria Angel prominently above or behind the Holy Family where the banner can be easily seen. In a large home Nativity, she can serve as the visual centerpiece that ties the entire Bethlehem scene together.

Part of the Complete Fontanini 18" Nativity

The Gloria Angel isn't simply a standalone decorative angel—#53717 is a coordinating figure within Fontanini's complete 18" Nativity collection.

Published specifications for a complete 18" Fontanini Nativity include the Gloria Angel alongside Joseph #53711, Mary #53712, Baby Jesus #53713, King Melchior #53714, King Gaspar #53715, King Balthazar #53716, Gabriel, sheep, Seated Donkey #53733, and Seated Ox #53734.

That makes Gloria an excellent choice whether you're beginning a large Nativity, expanding an existing collection, or completing a church or parish set that is missing its angel.

More Than a Century of Italian Nativity Tradition

The Fontanini tradition began more than 100 years ago in Bagni di Lucca, Italy, in the hills of Tuscany. Emanuele Fontanini opened his first shop in 1908, beginning a family business that would become known around the world for its Nativity figures.

Generation after generation, the Fontanini tradition has centered on transforming the people, animals, and events surrounding Bethlehem into expressive sculptural figures.

The durable polymer used for the 18" collection allows detailed sculpting while making these substantial pieces more practical for seasonal handling and display. The Gloria Angel's feathered wings, facial expression, draped clothing, banner, hands, and flowing silhouette demonstrate how much visual storytelling can be incorporated into a single Nativity figure.

Complete the Story of Bethlehem

A Nativity becomes especially compelling when it tells more than one moment of the Christmas story.

Place the Gloria Angel above the Holy Family as the heavenly proclamation. Position Gabriel and the shepherds approaching from one side. Create a procession with Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar approaching from another. Add the ox, donkey, and sheep around the manger.

The result is an entire scene that draws the eye toward its most important point—Baby Jesus in the manger.

The 18" collection is designed to support this larger approach to Nativity storytelling, with House of Fontanini currently carrying a broad assortment of coordinating figures.

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 the Nativity tradition.

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 artistry, heritage, and most importantly, the sacred story these figures help tell.

Our mission says it best:

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

Crown your Fontanini Italian Nativity with the Gloria Angel #53717 and bring the joyous heavenly announcement of Christ's birth to the center of your Christmas display.

Product Details

• Product: Gloria Angel
• Fontanini Item #: 53717
• UPC: 089945256468
• Hole on back to mount on stable or where a nail is present.
• Collection: Fontanini® 18" Collection
• Scale: 18" Nativity Scale
• Actual Dimensions: Approximately 15.5"H x 10"W x 5"D
• Material: Durable Polymer
• Design: Angel with outstretched wings and “GLORIA” banner
• Packaging: Boxed
• Coordinates With: Fontanini 18" Holy Family, Gabriel, shepherds, Three Kings, sheep, donkey, ox, and other 18" figures
• 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, including sizes from approximately 18" through 70", are typically stocked when available. Because of their size, intricate details, and higher cost, however, some pieces 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 Gloria Angel #53717, please contact our Parish Sales Department at 507-469-9659 or email House of Fontanini. We will gladly check availability for you!