On a trip to France about 20 years ago to spend Christmas with my in-laws, I discovered the wonderful French tradition of the Santon Nativity sets. Each home set up a crèche, but they all varied. There were all the usual characters: Virgin Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus. The shepherd's and the sheep; along with the stable animals cows, donkeys, and the like. But what was amazing about these displays is that they also incorporated the local town's people, and that always varied by family. Santons are, literally, “little saints.” Part of a typical French Nöel crèche (Christmas Nativity scene), santons come in work clothes to visit the Holy Family. They bring the Christ Child presents they have made or grown, hunted or sold. They perform or offer simple gestures of thoughtfulness. I found this utterly charming and so I started to collect them as I found them in little shops, even the local Supermarche (supermarket) had them.
With the exception of the Holy Family and kings, all the characters are delightfully attired in late 18th century or 19th century Provençal costumes. In my collection along with the Holy Family and some stable animals (we only have one of the Three Kings ~ the other 2 eluded me) are: the mayor (looking very official), his wife, a priest, a Basque drummer, a hunter, along with a few shepherds and angels. My poor woman bringing lavender has lost her head and one of the donkeys head is broken off...quelle dommage~!
Some of my Santons are marked by the artist, some are not...but it really doesn't matter to me. Many have chips and broken ears on the cows, because my son used to play with them when he was young. Best of all, they all have a sweet memory of Christmas spent in France and here with family and friends.
Joyeaux Nöel~!!
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