French SANTON Terra Cotta Figurine *Margarido*

The figurine is a traditional Provençal "santon" figure, specifically depicting "Margarido" or the "Woman on a Donkey".

Information on the Figurine

Type: The figurine is a santon, a small, handcrafted, clay nativity and village life figure originating from Provence, France.

Character: It represents a specific character named Margarido, the "Woman on a Donkey" (Femme sur l'ane in French), who is traditionally the eighth essential santon for a Provençal creche (nativity scene).

Traditional Role: In traditional Christmas plays called Pastorales, Margarido is depicted as a middle-class woman who is a bit of a gossip and nags her husband, Mr. Jourdan. She is shown riding a donkey to the stable where Jesus was born.

Genuine santons are typically hand-shaped in clay (terracotta) and then hand-painted, a French craft with a long tradition.

Makers: Various santonniers (santon makers) in Provence, such as Maison Fouque and Santons Escoffier, produce this and other traditional figures