Magazine – Practical Guide
Nativity figurine measurements: complete guide to choosing the right scale
From 3.5 cm to 30 cm: everything you need to know to choose the right figurines for your nativity scene. With the complete Landi Moranduzzo size chart.
The most common question from people who want to purchase crib figurines is always the same: “What size should I get?” The answer depends on four variables-the size of the crib, the viewing distance, the style of set-up, and whether you are starting a collection or adding pieces to an existing one.
The basic rule: scale and proportion
Landi Moranduzzo Nativity – hand-painted marble resin figurines are available in 10 sizes from 3.5 to 30 cm.
The nativity scene has its own internal proportion: the figures must appear to inhabit the same space. A stable too small for the figures it contains breaks the illusion. A huge hut with tiny shepherds has the same effect. Scale is everything.
The principle is simple: the size of the figure in centimeters should be about 10-15% of the total height of the crib. An 80 cm high nativity scene will hold 8-12 cm figures well. A nativity scene 40 cm high wants figures of 4-6 cm. The smaller the crib, the more depth and richness the small figures give to the scene.
Please note: This rule applies to standing figures. Seated, kneeling or animal figures should be chosen consistently with the rest of the scene. In a scene with 10 cm figures, a 10 cm angel in flight will look too small-the wings make it look bigger, so scale it to 8 cm.
The complete table of Landi Moranduzzo measurements.
| Line | Measure | Ideal crib | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro 3.5 cm | 3.5 cm | Miniature nativity scenes, niches, display cases | Ideal for very small spaces or artistic window cribs |
| MINI 6 SN cm | 6 cm | Small table crib (40-60 cm) | SN series (no names): essential basic figures |
| Mini 6.5 cm SA | 6.5 cm | Small-medium table crib | SA series: more characterized figures with more details |
| Compact 8 cm | 8 cm | Medium table crib (60-80 cm) | Good balance between size and detail |
| LIMITED 9 cm | 9 cm | Medium-large table crib | Limited numbered series – high collectibility |
| Standard 10 cm best-selling | 10 cm | Small floor crib (80-120 cm) | The most complete line: more than 290 figures available. The most versatile choice. |
| STANDARD 11 cm | 11 cm | Medium floor crib | Slightly more imposing figures, same stylistic family as 10 cm |
| MEDIUM 12 cm | 12 cm | Medium to large floor crib (100-150 cm) | Excellent visibility at medium distance |
| MEDIUM 13 cm | 13 cm | Floor crib large | Figures with high pictorial detail, ideal for display cribs |
| PRESTIGE 15 cm | 15 cm | Large crib (150-200 cm) | Beginning Prestige range: utmost care in sculptural and pictorial details |
| LARGE 16 cm | 16 cm | Large or display crib | Figures with strong visual impact even at a distance |
| PRESTIGE 18 cm | 18 cm | Monumental nativity scene or showcase | High detail – each figure is a sculpture |
| PRESTIGE 20 cm | 20 cm | Monumental nativity scene | Collectible and display figures |
| PRESTIGE 30 cm | 30 cm | Installations, churches, public spaces | The largest size in the Landi collection |
How to choose if you are starting out
The level of pictorial detail in Landi figurines is the same in all sizes-from Micro 3.5 to PRESTIGE 30.
If you are building your first Landi nativity scene, the most sensible choice is the Standard 10 cm. Reason: it is the line with the largest catalog-over 290 different figures. This means that in later years you can add characters, animals, stores, scenes of everyday life without ever finding “the character you’re missing.” The other lines have more limited catalogs.
If, on the other hand, you already have a crib started with figures of another brand, you will need to choose the Landi size that most closely matches the existing scale. Landi figures tend to be slightly taller than the stated size-a “10 cm” figure actually measures 10-12 cm from the base to the top of the head, excluding headdresses or haloes. Take this into account when comparing.
If you buy Landi figurines year after year, always keep the same size. Internal proportions change slightly between lines, and mixing 10 cm with 12 cm in the same scene can create visual dissonance. The only accepted exception is the hierarchical scale: the main characters (Holy Family, Magi) slightly larger than the secondary shepherds is a stylistic convention of the traditional Neapolitan nativity scene.
Special Measures: CHILD and Moving Statues
The Child line includes figures of children and young people in correct proportions for their age-not simply small-scale adult figures. It complements all standard lines by choosing the Child size that maintains proportions consistent with the adults chosen.
Statues in Motion are figures with dynamic poses – shepherds walking, animals running, characters in gesture. They are not mechanically moving, but the sculpture restores the idea of movement. They fit in with any matching line size and give liveliness to the most static scenes.
The viewing distance changes everything
A detail that many people do not consider: the distance from which the crib will be viewed is as crucial as the size. A nativity scene in a wall niche 30 cm from the viewer’s eye shows each brushstroke of a 10 cm figure. A monumental nativity scene at the back of a parish hall 5 meters away needs figures at least 15-20 cm in size to be legible in detail.
The rule of thumb: for every meter of viewing distance provide at least 3 cm of figure height. At 1 meter, 3 cm figures will suffice. At 2 meters you need at least 6 cm. At 5 meters at least 15 cm.
Choose your Landi size
From Micro 3.5 cm to PRESTIGE 30 cm-find the right line for your crib.
Frequently asked questions
What size crib figurines to choose for a tabletop crib?
For a small table crib (40-60 cm), ideal sizes are 6-6.5 cm. For a medium table (60-80 cm), 8-10 cm figures are used. The basic rule is that the figures should be 10-15% of the total height of the crib.
Which Landi size is the best-selling?
The Standard 10 cm line is the best-selling and most recommended for beginners. It is the line with the largest catalog-over 290 figures-and allows you to add characters year after year without finding gaps in the catalog.
Can you mix different sizes in the same scene?
In general, no, because it creates visual dissonance. The only exception is the traditional hierarchical scale of the Neapolitan nativity scene: the main characters (Holy Family, Magi) slightly larger than the secondary shepherds is an accepted historical convention.
Do the stated measurements exactly match the height of the figures?
Landi figures generally measure 10-15% more than the stated size, excluding headdresses, haloes and other elevated elements. A “10 cm” figure measures about 10-12 cm from the base to the top of the head. Keep this in mind if you are integrating Landi figures into an existing crib of another brand.
What is the difference between SN and SA line in 6 cm figurines?
The MINI 6 SN (no names) line includes the basic essential figures with more sober characterization. The Mini 6.5 SA line has slightly larger figures with more sculptural and pictorial details. SA is the recommended choice for those who want more expressiveness even in small sizes.
Each Landi figurine is deposited with the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage as a work of art. They are not figurines: they are miniature sculptures.
Moranduzzo – Landi Line since 1982 – Florence