European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 08, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Madame Castelin Sells Santons made by her family at the Castelin Peirano shop in Aub Agnan France. For is Debby Jennings Santons Folk Art from Provence adds regional touch to holidays by Debby Jennings when you bring Home a handmade product from Southern France you bring Back More than a colourful _ piece of earthenware or brilliantly printed fabric. Many Provencal artisans regard their work As pieces of Art and use local materials Only. Their crafts and Folk Art have emerged from Long traditions. No Folk Art illustrates the importance of tradition More than the Provencal Santon figures or Little  the Santon is a Christmas nativity figure made of fired Clay and hand painted with water Coors. These symbolic Clay figures Are used in the creche the scene that is displayed in Catholic Homes at Christmas to represent the nativity or the birth of Christ. They Range in size from less than 2 centimetres a Little less than an Inch to to 3 centimetres about 5 inches. Different size Santons May be placed in the same creche to create perspective. The first Christmas creches in Southern France appeared around the time of the French revolution in 1789. Churches often were closed because of the fighting and thus the nativity scenes were inaccessible for most people. Local legend has it that a Church statue maker named Jean Louis Laignel from Marseille came up with the idea to make Small figures that families could buy a Little Cost. The Santons were an immediate Success and appealed to almost everyone. At first figures were limited to the nativity with Jesus Mary Angels the three Wise rent an of and a Donkey. All were clothed in biblical costumes. Soon they were joined by men and women from a 19th-Century Provencal town fishermen Bakers shepherds gypsies Lavender gatherers Hunters milkmaid priests fishwives and even mayors. Today Many carry a tool or product symbolizing their Trade or social position. Some Ateliers make As Many As 10 stripes Magazine december 8, 1994 100 different figures. Marseille and the nearby die of Aix in Provence and Autagne Are the centers of Santon making in Provence. Every Christmas season Santon fairs or fires Aux Santons Are held in Marseille and Autagne. Folks come from far and near to buy the figures and to see popular nativity plays called pastorale and talking mechanical Marionette creches or creches Par Antes. Many families collect the figures which make fantastic gifts for Young and old alike. Marseille is the Home of the Best known fire Aux Santons. It is held on la Cane Biere a major shopping Street that runs North from the old port. The fair is held from the last sunday in november to Jan. 6. In Autagne the Santon fair is held throughout december and during july and August in the Central Market Square called Cours marshal Foch. Santons May be purchased at the two fairs at up to half off the Normal Price at most retail shops. Additionally one of the Best places to buy them is at the studios of the Santo Niers Santon makers. Many have a Small boutique attached to their workshops. Here you May watch the figures being made the firing process and the actual painting of the  you Don t have to go to Provence to find the figures. Christmas markets elsewhere in Europe such As the one in Heidelberg Germany sometimes include the figures in International Booths. R a partial Register of Aub Agnan Santo Niers and their addresses and Telephone numbers is listed below. The t " country code for France is 33. Amy2, Boulevard mile Combes Telephone " " 42.70.12.92 Castelin Peirano 17, Avenue Gabriel Peri Telephone 42.03.19.11 Chave 45, Rue Frederic mistral Telephone 42.70.12.86 Coulomb route de la Bedrule qua Des fools Telephone 42.70.14.03 _ Dilandro Chemin do Charrel Telephone 42.03.88.03 innocent Madeleine 5, Rue Frederic mistral Telephone 42.03.01.58 Maurin Chemin up Izidore Les pellets Telephone 42.82.36.58 Pesante Ascia Pont de i Froyle Telephone 42.04.27.53 Peyron 11, Rue for de in mistral Telephone 42.84.10.47 i _ Scaturo 20 Avenue de Verdun Telephone j 42.84.33.29 Smacchia 5, Rue Del Arceau Telephone 42.03.23.48. A _ instead of Jerusalem the Provencal creche places the birth of Christ in a Small Village in Southern France. Clay models of Stone houses Are often set up around the or Fiche and Moss and stones Are used to show the local terrain.    Niers also make larger Santons dressed in local costumes. Colourful Provencal fabrics Are used so figures appear As 19th-Century characters. Great care and detail can be seen in the higher Quality pieces. W v one particular feature to look for is the distinctive appearance of the faces of the Santons. A favorite subject for the artisans is the elderly persons in the town. Higher Quality Santons display a warm charming person of Strong character. Other features to look for Are the detail m. The hands arms and legs and the Quality of the clothing and painting. Santons make great decorative accessories for any Home. Debby Jennies is a fre act writer living near Stuttgart Germany