Vintage Provence santon 25cm clay signed Landro dressed figurine

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This Provencal santon depicts a traditional male figure, standing on a brown base, and adopting a characteristic pose of artisanal figurines from the South of France. The finely sculpted face shows a grey beard and expressive features, highlighting the authenticity of the rural scene. The santon wears a red head covering tied at the back and an outfit consisting of a light shirt, an off-white fabric trousers, a red belt, and a coat draped over the left shoulder. The entire figurine is dressed in real, hand-stitched fabrics, demonstrating careful craftsmanship.

The figure's right hand holds a bulky bundle resting on his shoulder, while another white fabric bag is placed in front of his left leg. The details of the clothing, including the natural folds of the fabric and the colorful belt, enhance the lifelike appearance of this piece. The base, made of clay according to the keywords, ensures the figurine's stability and recalls the tradition of handcrafted santons.

The style and execution clearly evoke the Provençal tradition, both in the posture and in the choice of visible colors and materials. The signature "Landro" is mentioned in the keywords (not visible in the image), probably indicating a recognized workshop or santon maker, although no mark or inscription is explicitly legible on the photographed side.

The palette of natural colors—beige, off-white, brick red—is in keeping with the tradition of antique Provençal santons, intended for nativity scenes or interior decoration. The piece as a whole exhibits a beautiful patina, typical of vintage santons, with a matte and authentic finish on the face and hands, and a soft texture on the clothes.

This folk art figurine is typical of Provençal pastoral scenes, where each santon embodies a trade or a character from rural life. The carrying of the bundle evokes the shepherd or the traveler, an emblematic figure in nativity scenes in the South of France.

Condition

Used item sold as is. The piece as a whole exhibits a slight patina of use visible on the face and clothes, with no major apparent defects on the visible side. The fabrics retain good condition, the colors are harmonious, and the base shows no cracks on the part shown.

Did you know? Provençal santons, handmade since the late 18th century, embody the folk art of the south of France. The term "santon" comes from the Provençal "santoun," meaning "little saint." Each character in the Provençal nativity scene represents a trade or a scene from daily rural life, perpetuating a vibrant tradition during the Christmas holidays.

AFW Reassurance

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Keywords: antique santon, Provence figurine, nativity character, Landro, dressed santon, clay statuette, vintage santon, santon artisan, Provence figurine, French nativity, Provence Christmas decoration, santons collection