Provence's Figurines (27)

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2 4 6 9

Arlésienne with sunshade (beige)

€28.00

Arlésienne with sunshade (red)

€28.00

2 4 6 9 13⁺

Gardener with vegetables on wheelbarrow

€28.00

6 9

Gardener with vegetables on wheelbarrow

€34.00

4 6 9

The history of the Santons of Provence

The history of the Santons of Provence is very old since it dates back to the post-French Revolution period. In this context where the Church has become the property of the State and where religious celebrations are prohibited, believers and the faithful then feel the need to make their own Christmas nativity scene at home in order to celebrate the birth of Christ. . It was in Provence that the making of santons, which mean “little saints” in the Provençal language, began. Initially made using papier-mâché or even bread crumbs, the figurines were then made with clay from 1798. They then became small characters that we kept from year to year. In addition, the techniques are refined and these figurines display more and more details to become true works of art.

Initially, the figurines were intended to represent only the main religious characters of the Nativity which are Mary, Joseph, the Three Wise Men and of course the child Jesus. Shortly after, the range expanded to highlight all the traditional trades of the time. You can then choose to create a small nativity scene with only the religious characters or think big and complete it with craft figurines.

If the Santons born in Provence are today known and appreciated throughout France, this know-how has remained well anchored in its region of origin and continues to be perpetuated from generation to generation. Furthermore, every year in the south, festivities in honor of the Santons take place in Marseille (where the first Santons fair was held in 1803), in Aix-en-Provence, in Aubagne but also in numerous Provençal villages.

Tailor's dummy

Tailor's dummy

Tailor's dummy

Tailor's dummy

Gadzart

Naval officer 9 cm

Femme "Gadzarts"

Gadzart

Gadzart

Femme "Gadzarts"

Avocat 6 cm

Lawer

Lawer woman 6 cm

Lawer woman 9 cm

Woman gathering cherries

Woman gathering cherries

Magistrate 6 cm

Magistrate 9 cm

Magistrate woman 6 cm

Magistrate woman 9 cm

Arlésienne with sunshade

Arlésienne with sunshade (beige)

Arlésienne with sunshade (red)

Scarecrow

Scarecrow

Scarecrow

Scarecrow

Scarecrow

Saint Sarah

Saint Sarah

Gardener with vegetables on wheelbarrow

Gardener with vegetables on wheelbarrow

Théodore, the shepherd 4 cm

Théodore, le berger 6 cm

Théodore, the shepherd

The history of the Santons of Provence