The Santons Come Marching In... by Thomas Kern
A Swiss nativity scene with a French touch - by Thomas Kern, pictures and text.
as published in swissinfo.ch - This is such a special celebration of a Santons Christmas, one cannot help but share the magic.
"Joseph, Mary, and the Christ Child are joined by common folk in a priceless nativity scene on show in northern Switzerland."
All alone, but not for long Putting the animals in position
"The nativity scene has been put together under the expert direction of art historian Rudolf Velhagen. Velhagen, head of the historical collection at the Museum Aargau, discovered the nativity figurines, 'Santons', while teaching art history in Marseille, and decided to bring them to Switzerland."
The people of Provence Creating the background by hand
"Made by the late French artist Marcel Carbonel, the Santons include not only the usual nativity figures, but common folk from a cross-section of Provençal society. There's a baker, knitting grandmother, fishmonger, vagabonds and men and women in traditional costume."
There's room for a shepherd....Putting together a nativity is much like putting together a train set.
"Velhagen has over 60 figurines in his collection. Each Santon has its place, representing society in its entirety and without any direct reference to the nativity story. An important source of inspiration for the figurines was the 'Lettres de mon moulin' by the French writer Alphonse Daudet (1840 - 1897), who describes happy and sad events."
They've arrived... Joseph and Mary The Three Kings are on their way
"The figurines are placed in reference to political or social conditions, while the traditional Santons - the shepherds, angels and the Three Kings - are moved each day, slowly approaching the birthplace of the Christ Child."
An angel has a prominent place.... As does a baker
The landscape of Provence Missing Jesus... who arrives
Christmas morning!
From Wendt and Kühn - Small Grünhainichen Angel in Celebration of the Erzgebirge
New for 2018, Wendt and Kühn brings us this Small Grünhainichen Angel in Toy Village. Two-inches high the Grünhainichen angel brings to life the toy-making tradition of the Erzgebirge. 
The Angel holds a traditional splinter box on its lap filled with treasures. In it are stored the Angel's favorite toys: a house with a red roof, a little green tree, and a small wooden horse with even smaller ears. All are reminders of the wonderful, world-famous toys that are created in Wendt and Kühn's home, Germany's Toy Villages, in the Erzgebirge that bring happiness to children all around the world.
A very special piece for all of us who love the Erzgebirge's wonderful folk art.
Wendt and Kühn's Sterntaler Girl / Star Magic / Star Money - New for 2018 - A Symbol of Humanity
New for 2018, Wendt and Kühn brings us their latest fairytale figure, the Sterntaler Girl / Star Magic - a symbol of humanity.
Grete Wendt loved the world of fairy tales and used her fascination for them to create a whole series of delightful figurines. One of them is the Sterntaler Girl - Star Money / Star Magic. Sitting in a moonlit glade, the Sterntaler Girl spreads out her apron. When stars fall from the heavens and turn into coins it is fairy tale time at Wendt and Kühn.
A Grimm's Fairy Tale, the Star Talers, "An unnamed, orphaned girl is poor and homeless; she has only her clothing and a loaf of bread that a kindhearted soul has given her. She is a goodhearted person, however, and so she goes out into the countryside to see what might happen. She gives a hungry man her bread, and to three cold children she gives her cap, her jacket, and her dress. After wandering into a forest, she sees a naked child begging for a shift, and since it is dark and she cannot be seen, she gives her own shift away. As she stands there with nothing left at all, suddenly stars fall to earth before her, becoming talers [brightly shining coins], and she finds herself wearing a new shift of the finest linen. The story ends with her being rich." - Wikipedia
Illustration by Heinrich Voegeler
"This fairy tale was particularly popular before the first World War as it symbolized the compassionate man who helps others even when he apparently has nothing himself. Grete Wendt first designed the Sterntaler Girl in 1930.
Now nearly a century later she still stands for compassion, modesty, and care for others. Those values are today more important than ever. The Sterntaler Girl is a symbol for humanity, one of the reasons Wendt and Kühn chose this particular fairy tale to continue the fairy tale collection in 2018" - Wendt and Kühn
She is also available in a 24-piece jigsaw puzzle - find it here.
Beginning in 2017 and over the next few years Wendt and Kühn will release a new fairy tale figurine every fall to add to the joy. Cinderella is the first in the series and the Sterntaler Girl is the second.
You will definitely want to add this very special piece to your collection.
Marcel Carbonel's New for 2018 - the Pharamacist
The Pharmacist is, simply said, essential to any community. This year, 2018, Carbonel has added this smart figure to their Size #2 / Elite Santons collection.
We enjoyed reading about the history of pharamacy - here - going back to 2100 B.C.E.
He joins the townspeople to include the Mayor, Mr. Jourdan, the Notary, etc. and will make a lovely addition to your collection.
Orchestra Angel with Balalaika - New for 2018 from Wendt and Kühn
A charming piece of folk art of an Angel with a folk instrument. Wendt and Kühn's new orchestra figure for 2018 is this delightful Angel with a Balalaika.
The balalaika is a traditional Russian stringed folk instrument with a characteristic triangular, wooden, hollow body and three strings. Two strings are usually tuned to the same note and the third string is a perfect fourth higher. The instrument is commonly known as a "Russian three-stringed guitar."
Find her here where you can select an Angel with blonde or brunette hair.
