ATELIER ET SANTONS ARTERRA

Located in the old district of Le Panier in Marseille, the Arterra workshop has established itself through a very personal style in the family of santon makers, combining tradition and modernity. Its unique know-how has been rewarded by the label Entreprise du patrimoine vivant.

History. Located in the old district of Le Panier in Marseille, the Arterra workshop has been part of the Santonniers family since 1996. From the very beginning, Arterra has imposed itself with a very personal style. A style that, combining tradition and modernity, has aroused the fervour of amateurs and collectors alike. Indeed, it is by refusing the shortcomings and constraints imposed by mass production that today their collections are appreciated both in the world of the crib santon and in the world of decoration. The collection is available in five sizes: 7, 9, 12, 18, and 30 cm. All the subjects are obviously made of clay and entirely hand-made.

It all starts with creation, an intense research stage after which a prototype is sculpted from clay. The mold is then made from the first model. The stamping step consists of pressing a clay strand between the dies of the drawing mold to take the impression of the model. The subject is then reworked and set in motion thanks to ductility (the ability of a material to deform plastically without breaking). Then, the excess clay is removed, washed and dried before firing. The ultimate step is to decorate the small characters.

The products. The santons are available in five collections from 7 to 30 cm. The Arterra workshop also produces special subjects (Arlesian, the Nativity...).