Vintage Marius Chave Aubagne Provençal Santon Village Crèche with Original Box Label
Offered is a charmingvintage French Provençal santon crèche/village ensemble associated with Marius Chave of Aubagne, France, consisting of a detailed hand-crafted village scene together with a large collection of miniature Provençal figures and animals.
This is an especially unusual group because it includesthe original box bearing a Marius Chave / Santonnier label from Aubagne-en-Provence.
Included
One complete vintage Provençal village/crèche scene with approximately 33 associated miniature figures and animals, plus the original box bearing the Marius Chave Santonnier label.
Please note that I am selling this asone collection/ensemble, not individually.
A wonderful opportunity for a collector ofFrench santons, Provençal folk art, Aubagne pottery, Marius Chave, French Christmas crèches, or miniature village displays.
The village is a wonderfully detailed hand-modeled Provençal scene, including:
- Multiple rustic stone/stucco buildings
- Terracotta-style tiled roofs
- Windmill
- Cypress trees
- Stone pathways and retaining walls
- Bridge/stream or waterfall feature
- Painted scenic background
- Numerous tiny hand-painted figures
- Nativity/Holy Family figures
- Three Magi
- Farm animals
- Camel and attendant
There are approximately33 individual figures/animals in addition to the architectural village/crèche, making this a substantial collection rather than a single santon.
Attribution
Theoriginal box is specifically labeled Marius Chave, Aubagne, and the figures and village are consistent in style, scale and coloring with vintage Provençal santon production.
However, the individual figures and village arenot visibly signed or stamped, so I am listing the ensemble conservatively asattributed to/associated with Marius Chave rather than claiming that every individual piece is definitively signed Chave.
This is an important distinction for collectors and is reflected in the price.
Marius Chave (1909–1999) was an important Aubagne santon
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