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Large Virgin of Marseille or santibelli* in polychrome and gilded terracotta, representing the scene of the Assumption, with the Virgin Mary with her arms raised towards Heaven surrounded by several small cherubs, with her globe, vintage late 19th-early 20th century centuries.
This Virgin is in good condition and is of very good quality. It is very decorative.
Note: some small accidents and restorations (a hand, an arm, etc. see red arrows), slight wear and tear, see photos.
The “ Santibelli ” are statuettes generally around forty centimeters high . Molded in terracotta , but also in plaster , from Italy , they are painted in very bright colors , sometimes sprinkled with glitter, or gilded with leaf . The origin of the name of these statuettes is difficult to pin down: here we evoke a very Marseille nickname which qualifies as " Santibelli " the simpleton on duty , the friendly and not really resourceful fool . There, we imagine that " Santibelli " comes from the cry uttered by the Italian sellers who, according to tradition, peddled these objects: " Santi... Belli... "; like a cry from the street , which in a shorthand would have remained to designate these statuettes sold at auction .
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