Provence's Figurines (33)

Language:

Size

Theme

Price

Sort by:

2 4 6 9 13⁺

marine firefighter from Marseille

€22.00

Woman with bundle of Hay (yellow)

€18.00

6 9

Woman with bundle of Hay (yellow)

€23.00

2 4 6 9

Fillette des Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

€20.00

2 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.

Hay Man

Man with bundle of Hay

marine firefighter from Marseille

The rescuer at sea

Gendarme

Légionnaire de 1883

Woman with bundle of Hay (yellow)

Woman with bundle of Hay (yellow)

Man preparing polenta

Man preparing polenta

Man preparing polenta

Man preparing polenta

Matelot

Seaman, crewman

Seaman, crewman

Matelot 2 cm

Boulanger au fournil 4 cm

Boulanger au fournil 6 cm

Boulanger au fournil 9 cm

Tailleur de pierre 6 cm

Tailleur de pierre 9 cm

Tailleur de pierre 13 cm

Porteur d'eau

Porteur d'eau

Porteur d'eau

Porteur d'eau

Porteur d'eau

Fillette des Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Ramasseur de lavande 9 cm

Ramasseur de lavande 6 cm

Ramasseur de lavande 9 cm

Ramasseur de lavande 9 cm

Ramasseur de lavande 9 cm

Ramasseur de lavande 9 cm

Ramasseur de lavande 9 cm

The history of the Santons of Provence