Antique Jouglas Provence Santon 25cm clay signed, period costume, vintage
AFW - Antique France Worldwide
Description
This large santon (25 cm, mentioned in the keywords) depicts a woman in traditional Provençal costume, typical of crafts from the South of France. Made of clay, as specified in the keywords, this santon is signed "Jouglas," a historic name among Provençal santon creators. The piece shows careful execution, with an expressive face and finely modeled features, typical of traditional santon craftsmanship.
The figurine wears a lace bonnet and a white shawl with floral patterns, carefully draped over her shoulders. The pale blue bodice and floral-patterned skirt evoke the period fabrics worn by women in rural Provence. A white apron with small blue patterns covers the front of the skirt, reinforcing the authenticity of the costume. The right hand holds a rectangular basket with a handle, while the left hand holds a rounded, golden container, likely an accessory from daily peasant life (bucket, milk pot, or similar utensil).
The upright posture and slightly smiling face give this santon a warm presence. All the clothes, sewn onto the figurine, are made of patterned cotton fabrics, true to traditional Provençal aesthetics. The circular base, visible in the photo, ensures the stability of the statuette.
The patina of the clay surface reveals artisanal craftsmanship, with realistic details in the modeling of the face, hands, and accessories. The paintwork is subtle, with natural shades for the complexion of the face and hands, and a matte finish characteristic of unglazed clay.
This signed santon is typical of 20th-century artisanal production in Provence, with an aesthetic faithful to the popular traditions of the region. The "Jouglas" signature (visible or mentioned in the keywords) attests to recognized expertise in the world of antique santons.
Condition
Used item sold as is. The face, hands, and visible accessories show no major apparent defects in the photo. The clothing shows a beautiful natural patina due to age, with no visible excessive wear. For any further questions, please do not hesitate to request additional photos.
Did you know? The Santon de Provence, from the Provençal "santoun" meaning "little saint," is an emblematic figurine of Provençal nativity scenes since the late 18th century. The Jouglas workshop, founded in Marseille, is renowned for perpetuating the tradition of hand-painted clay santons and for its large-sized models intended for both public nativity scenes and decorative displays.
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Keywords: antique santon, Provençal figurine, Jouglas Marseille, clay santon, Provence nativity scene, traditional costume statuette, artisanal santon, woman santon, vintage Provence, signed santon, large size, French santon