Santons Of Provence

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A santon is a small hand-painted figurine cast in terracotta or a similar material that is used for building nativity scenes. Santons are a traditional product of the Provence region of southeastern France. A maker of santons is called a santonnier. The word "santon" comes from the Provençal "santoun," or "little saint." They became popular during the French Revolution, when the churches were closed and the larger, traditional nativity scenes in churches prohibited. Smaller figurines began appearing in homes, and quickly gained popularity. The traditional manufacture of santons is centred on Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Arles and Aubagne. In the month leading up to Christmas, there are traditional santon fairs all over Provence where santons of all sizes can be acquired to decorate domestic creches. Apart from the standard figures and animals associated with the nativity (including elephants and camels), there are countless other santons depicting traditional characters from Provençal village life, including the motley fool, the miller and the blind man. Another common figure is a shepherd facing the mistral and the other winds of Provence, holding his hat, with his cloak blowing.

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Article title : Santon (figurine)
"a traditional product of the Provence region of southeastern France. A maker of santons is called a santonnier. The word "santon" comes from the Provençal..."
Article title : Aix-en-Provence
"Aix-en-Provence, or simply Aix, is a city and commune in southern France, about 30 km (20 mi) north of Marseille. A former capital of Provence, it is..."
Article title : Provence
"ruled by the counts of Provence from their capital in Aquae Sextiae (today Aix-en-Provence), then became a province of the kings of France. It also hosted..."
Article title : Nativity scene
"stable. Different traditions of nativity scenes emerged in different countries. Hand-painted santons are popular in Provence. In southern Germany, Austria..."
Article title : Marseille
"prefecture of the department of Bouches-du-Rhône and of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Situated in the Provence region, it is located on the coast of the..."
Article title : Winds of Provence
"rural et structures agraires en Basse-Provence. Massot, Jean-Luc, Maisons rurales et vie paysanne en Provence. Jean Vialar, Les vents régionaux et locaux..."
Article title : Louis Sicard
"France (1997). Les Santons de Provence (in French). Paris: Gisserot. p. 80. ISBN 978-2-87747-283-8.. Clemente, Maribeth (2014). The Riches of France (2 ed.)..."
Article title : Farandole
"of the 13th and 14th centuries, the branles of the 15th and 16th centuries. The santons dancing the farandole are one of the classics of the Provence..."
Article title : Figurine
"to present Santons – Provence, France, 18th century to present Animal figurines Model figure Modern figurines, particularly those made of plastic, are..."
Article title : André Montagard
"Marseille: Éditions Bendor. OCLC 6698837. Montagard, André (1960). Ma Provence et mes santons. Marseille: Éditions Bendor. OCLC 5981612. Montagard, André (1962)..."

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