The popular musical instruments of Provence, dating back to the Middle Ages. The instruments have however evolved, the best known is undoubtedly the tambourine, the instrumentalist is called the tambourine player (LouTambourinaïre) he is a major character in the nursery, his presence is essential.
The tambourine generally accompanies another musical instrument called the Galoubet which makes it the equivalent of a three-hole flute which is played with one hand, the other hand remains free to allow percussion on the tambourine . Generally carved from a precious wood, rosewood, olive, sometimes ebony... the galoubet has the particularity of sounding two octaves above the written notes.
The drummer whose name is Guillaume plays both instruments at the same time, he is the one-man orchestra in the crèche, his vocation is to make the arrival of the child Jesus festive. By letting the imagination take its course, we could almost hear traditional Provençal songs and see the santons doing the farandole. The galoubet plays the melody, the muffled blows of the tambourine make the whole thing dynamic and lively.
The blows on the tambourine are made with the mallet which is a thin stick.
The drummer is considered an important character like other figurines. His costume reflects his social position. He is often represented wearing a very beautiful vest, he wears a belt on his pants made of a wide strip of red woolen fabric called "the taiolo". He also wears a nice white shirt and his hat is wide-brimmed.
Made in France in Aubagne by hand
Composition: Clay
size 7cm