Fontanini Nativity Figures Gaspar Centennial Collection

This Fontanini Nativity Figures Gaspar stands approximately 5� tall. This piece is part of Fontanini�s centennial collection. Made out of a durable poly/resin material to resist chips and breakage. Story card included. Hand painted in Italy. Gaspar wears a white antiqued tunic underneath his cerulean robe. He has a coral colored shawl around his neck and shoulders. His belt and shoes are also coral. He has gold trim on his cuffs and shoes, along with gold necklace and earrings. On top his head is a white jeweled turban and gold crown. In his left hand he holds the gift of frankincense.
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Gaspar Story:
Gaspar (also known as Gaspard, Caspar, and Jaspar) was said to be the youngest of the three kings following the brilliant star to Bethlehem. But youth is certainly a relative term when we think about the years of life granted by God as recorded in the Bible! According to most written chronicles, Gaspar was about 109 when he set out with his companions to greet the arrival of the Christ Child nearly 2,000 years ago.

Gaspar was a strong, proud king with the weighty titles of �Emperor of the World,� �King of Tharsis� and a number of other, minor titles. Before leaving his homeland to make the Bethlehem pilgrimage, he was said to have lived in such splendor, that he sat only on pillows fashioned of gold-embellished tapestry cloth!

Although a man of many kingdoms, Gaspar was also said to be very sentimental. His favorite pastime was changing the somber songs learned at the knee of his grandfather. Indeed, he sang the plaintive tunes to the other kings as the three made their journey to the Bethlehem stable.

This regal king is most often depicted wearing an elegant turban. Lyric poets have described Gaspar�s headdress as wrapping around his head like a blossom of almond trees. We can imagine it must have been fashioned of fine silk.

A beautiful vessel of frankincense was brought to the Christ Child by Gaspar. Writings conclude that this fragrant, African aromatic, known to symbolize prayer, was also laced with gold. Some chronicles include fanciful tales of Gaspar spilling a chest of diamonds before the child.

Many details of the wonder-filled journey that culminated in the visitation to the Bethlehem stable are today lost in time. But scholars seem to agree that his �young� king (who was often been said to symbolize divinity) came to the scene respectful of the senior Magus, Melchior. In deference to the eldest king, Gaspar stood aside to allow the older man first place before the Child.