Where are santons made?
Provence
Santons (Provençal: “santoun,” or “little saint”) are small hand-painted terracotta nativity scene figurines produced in the Provence region of southeastern France.
What are traditional French dolls called?
Santons
Santons are hand-painted clay figurines, traditional to Provence. These small unassuming ornaments were first made during the time of the French Revolution and were a way of defying the government.
What are santon dolls?
Santons are hand-painted, terracotta nativity scene doll like figurines, from southeastern France. There are about 55 different people, from various characters in the typical Provençal village.
What does santon mean in French?
san·ton | \ säⁿtōⁿ \ plural -s. Definition of santon (Entry 2 of 2) : a small clay image from southern France that is used in a Christmas crèche.
What traditional French holiday are santons associated with?
Christmas
Christmas is celebrated in a special way in Provence with little figurines called Santons which are truely a French tradition. Santons are used to create a nativity scene (crèche) with the key religious figurines of Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus together with the people of the south of France.
What is crèche et santons de Provence?
Santon de Provence is a traditional crèche nativity figurine from Provence France. The word Santon comes from the Provençal dialect “santain” or little saint. The traditions of Provence are included in the French Christmas traditions throughout France.
What is a Santon used for?
A santon (“little saint”) is small, hand painted, terra cotta figurine manufactured in Provençal. These figurines represent characters in the “nativity scene” such as the Holy Family and the Magi.
Why are the santons placed in the crèche?
Here’s what you need to know. First of all, all the santons in your cot must give the impression of walking towards Jesus. The santons should not turn their backs on him. In addition, the Nativity figures Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the donkey and the ox should be placed in the centre of your cot.
What do you associate with Les santons?
Christmas Nativity crèches
Santons, derived from the Provençal word santoun meaning little saint, are small painted clay figurines that are used to decorate Christmas Nativity crèches (cribs) in Provence in South-East France.
What does the word crèche mean?
Definition of crèche 1 : a representation of the Nativity (see nativity sense 1) scene. 2 : day nursery. 3 : a foundling hospital. 4 : a group of young animals (such as penguins or bats) gathered in one place for care and protection usually by one or more adults.