{"product_id":"santon-le-boucher","title":"Butcher santon (le Boucher)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 4th of December is the feast day of Saint Barbara. In Aix-en-Provence, the occasion was once marked by the \u003cstrong\u003eSainte-Barbe market\u003c\/strong\u003e, the most important gathering of the year in the city.\u003cbr\u003eChristmas preparations began from that day onwards. Santon makers started setting up stalls at this market towards the end of the 19th century. Alongside festive foods for the Provençal Christmas supper, the trade of the \u003cstrong\u003ebutcher\u003c\/strong\u003e -- a \u003cstrong\u003etrue craft of the land\u003c\/strong\u003e -- was well represented. People from the surrounding area would flock into town to do their Christmas shopping on that day. Farmers came to sell their produce, shepherds down from the Alps sold their meat to the city's butchers, and country folk stocked up on provisions for winter, buying things they only purchased once a year. Women would choose a length of fabric or a new garment. By evening everyone headed home to enjoy the day's purchases -- the meats, charcuterie and sausages bought from the butcher.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere we see the \u003cstrong\u003ebutcher santon\u003c\/strong\u003e at his workbench: a sturdy wooden block set firmly on four legs, reinforced with metal corner pieces. Cuts of meat lie ready to be carved. The butcher wears his long white apron held by a single strap and tied with a simple lace, over a blue checked shirt. A pencil tucked behind his ear and a generous moustache give him a cheerful, good-natured air. About to get to work, he holds a sharp knife in his hand. A butcher's cleaver -- its broad, formidable blade unmistakeable -- rests against the side of the block. White paper for wrapping the meat, sawdust on the floor, a bucket at the santon's feet: every small detail is a pleasure to discover.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Santons Campana","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56278682698059,"sku":"SCH0S003","price":139.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1006\/8518\/5355\/files\/1496.jpg?v=1768089758","url":"https:\/\/www.santonscampana.com\/en\/products\/santon-le-boucher","provider":"Santons Campana","version":"1.0","type":"link"}