French Santon de Provence

A French Santon handmade in Provence by Maryse di Landro in the town of Aubagne. An old woman seated on a wooden chair with exceptionally detailed lacemaking instruments on her lap. Crafted of clay with painted features and clothed in traditional costume. Circa 1985. 7"w x 7"d x 9"h. Santons, or "little saints" are small hand-painted terra cotta nativity scene figurines produced in the Provence region of France. In a traditional French crèche, there are individual figures representing various characters from village life. The first clay santons were created during the French Revolution when churches were forcibly closed and their large nativity scenes prohibited.