Old Woman with Covered Basket

NameFigure

DateLate 1970s - early 1980s

(not assigned)AUps, Cote d'Azur, France, Europe

MediumCeramic, wood, cotton, synthetic fiber, paint, vegetal fiber

DimensionsWoman: 15 3/16 × 5 5/16 × 5 1/8 in. (38.5 × 13.5 × 13 cm)
Basket: 3 9/16 × 2 3/4 × 2 15/16 in. (9 × 7 × 7.5 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, Gift of Bob and Marge McCarthy, A.2011.38.17

Terms

Aups

Object numberA.2011.38.17ab

ProvenanceThe tradition of making santons ("Little Saints") in Provence, France began after the revolution when it was forbidden to have the creche figures in churches. People made them at home of wax or wood or ceramic and added local figures bringing gifts to the Christ Child. See paperwork in file titled "How Santons Are Made" and "How Mamie Martin Santons Are Made."

DescriptionStanding woman(a) with gray hair under white bonnet carries covered basket(b) on right arm. She wears a long, green print dress with white camisole showing at neckline, a long orange apron, a peach colored print shawl over her shoulders. She also wears a white slip and white bloomers. Her white socks and black shoes are painted. The woven basket(b) is covered with a red and white print cloth. She stands on a hardwood base to which her feet are glued. At proper left front it reads "Mamie Martin M.O.F." and at proper right back is "II".