19th-Century French Painted Plaster Devotional Figures of the Young Shepherds of La Salette - 31½"

A timeworn pair of painted plaster devotional figures depicting Mélanie Calvat and Maximin Giraud, the young shepherds to whom the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared on 19 September 1846 at La Salette in the French Alps. Of mid-size scale quite weighty, the figures are modeled with gentle realism and quiet solemnity. Mélanie stands upright with her hands clasped at her apron ties, her posture restrained and conveying humility and devotion. She wears a tied bonnet typical of rural dress of the period, with a long skirt in muted slate blue and a shawl in pale earth tones. Mélanie stands upright with her hands clasped at her apron ties, her restrained posture conveying humility and devotion, with a gently tilted head and upward gaze. She wears a tied bonnet typical of rural dress of the period, along with a long skirt in muted slate blue and a shawl in pale earth tones. Maximin is also shown standing and is dressed in a traditional shepherd’s outfit with a blue smock, light trousers, and a brimmed hat held reverently to his chest. A simple wooden staff and a seated shepherd dog reinforce the pastoral setting. Together, their poses and gazes suggest a moment of quiet reflection and holy awe.

The surfaces display an evocative patina. Mélanie’s figure retains distressed remnants of paint with scattered losses and abrasion that reveal the plaster beneath, while Maximin has preserved more of his original coloration, particularly in the blue of his garment. The dog’s head has been visibly restored.

The figures are likely inspired by, or adapted from, the canonical representations found at the Sanctuary of Notre-Dame de La Salette. Following the apparition, which was recognized as a miracle by the Church after a four-year inquiry, figures of this type were widely produced for personal devotion and for placement in churches and chapels, particularly around La Salette but also throughout France. It is very likely that a third statue, depicting the Virgin Mary, originally formed part of this group. 

Given their height and weight, the pair is best placed directly on the floor or on individual plinths, where their sculptural presence and serene mood can be fully appreciated. Positioned in an entry, chapel-like corner, or quiet sitting room, they bring a contemplative and reverent note to the space. They pair beautifully with raw wood, stone, and linen, balancing rustic texture with a sense of grace, and can anchor a devotional setting or serve as soulful focal points within an eclectic interior. The overall effect is poetic and grounded, offering an authentic, timeworn presence with deep cultural and spiritual resonance.

Condition and patina consistent with age.
The girl measures approx. 31½" high x 14¼" wide x 11½" The boy is approx. 28¾" high
The girl measures approx. 80cm high x 36cm wide x 29cm The boy is approx. 73cm high