Woman with Basket and Braid of Garlic

NameFigure

DateLate 1970s - early 1980s

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

MediumCeramic, wood, cotton, synthetic fiber, vegetal fiber, paint, straw, metal pin

DimensionsWoman: 13 × 5 3/8 × 3 3/4 in. (33 × 13.7 × 9.5 cm)
Basket: 2 3/4 × 1 3/4 × 2 3/16 in. (7 × 4.5 × 5.5 cm)
Garlic Braid: 6 1/8 × 2 3/16 × 1 in. (15.5 × 5.5 × 2.5 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, Gift of Bob and Marge McCarthy, A.2011.38.18

Terms

Aups

Object numberA.2011.38.18a-c

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 a covered, rectangular basket(b) and a braid of garlic(c). She wears a 3/4 length black print skirt with a long orange apron, a gold print blouse over a white camisole and a sage green and orange shawl over her shoulders. She also wears a white slip and bloomers and painted white socks and black shoes. The woven, rectangular basket(b) has light sides and handle and a warm brown bottom. It is covered with a sage green print cloth. The braid of garlic(c) has a long straw braid with purple garlic bulbs. Base is signed "Mamie Martin" at proper right front top. At proper right back, behind shoe, reads "No 4".