Vintage Provence female santon, 25cm, signed, clay, old fabric dress figurine

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This Provençal santon depicts a standing woman, dressed in a traditional long dress made of floral patterned fabric, complemented by a shawl crossed over her shoulders. The figurine is made of clay, as indicated by the keywords, and features an expressive hand-painted face, typical of handcrafted Provençal santons. She holds a piece of bread or dough in her left hand, and a light-colored apron made of light fabric adorned with small embossed patterns is tied at her waist, adding a nice touch of realism to the ensemble.

The upright posture, the details of the face, and the neat hairstyle reinforce the traditional character of this piece. The dominant colors are beige, light brown, and burgundy, with natural shades that evoke the authenticity of antique santons. The hexagonal base, visible in the photo, provides good stability to the figurine and recalls the bases used in Provençal craftsmanship.

The shawl is decorated with stylized floral motifs, in brown and black tones, on a beige background, while the sleeves of the dress are a deep red. The face has fine features, with eyebrows and mouth painted in detail. The hands, also made of clay, are carefully modeled, and the right hand holds a braided object, probably braided bread or a mat, a classic element of rural Provençal tradition.

This santon shows a beautiful period patina, with some visible signs of wear on the base and on the textile clothes, testifying to its age. No manufacturing mark is visible on the presented side, but the mention "signed" in the keywords suggests a signature on another side not visible here.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. Traces of use, slight wear on the textile and visible base. The overall visual condition remains good for a vintage santon.

Did you know? Provençal santons appeared at the end of the 18th century, following the ban on public nativity scenes during the French Revolution. The first models were hand-shaped from clay, then painted and dressed in local fabrics, thus perpetuating the traditional costumes and trades of Southern France.

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Keywords: antique santon, Provence figurine, clay statuette, costume woman santon, Provençal nativity scene, vintage santon, signed santon, fabric figurine, collectible santons, Provence clay figurine, French nativity, handcrafted statuette