French Display Doll: "Santon Habillé"
Collection: Everyday Connections
This display doll is part of the Provencal tradition of creating nativity scenes, "crèches", populated by figures called "Santons." The practice began in the early 1800s, when people started to make crèches showing everyday village scenes surrounding the birth of Christ.
The city of Aubagne is known for its elaborate villages and its many inhabitants, all made of clay. Crèches may be set up in the home with numerous santons. Santons represent a variety of figures, such as the miller, the fishwife and the hunter, all with gifts for the Christ child. This santon might be collecting lavendar.
The cities of Marseilles and Aix host santon fairs where people may add to their collections.
Source:
Display description at Girard Collection, Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico
https://francetoday.com/culture/art_and_design/the_santons_of_provence/#:~:text=The sa