19thC French Mettray Penal Colony Carved Wood Prisoner Figure Folk Art

This is a highly unusual 19th century French carved wooden folk-art figure made by an inmate of the famous Mettray agricultural and penal colony, the base prominently carved “METTRAY.”

The figure depicts a young man in uniform with cap, buttoned jacket, knee-length trousers and stockings, standing beside a tree stump. The subject represents one of the young inmates or “colons” of the institution.

The Colonie agricole et pénitentiaire de Mettray, near Tours in France, was established in the 19th century as an agricultural reformatory for juvenile offenders, where manual trades and agricultural work formed an important part of daily life.

Carved from wood with a dark aged surface and considerable character. The inscription METTRAY to the front of the integral circular base leaves little doubt as to its association with the institution.

A rare and evocative object relating to French penal, juvenile-reform and folk-art history.

CONDITION as per images

The overall condition is as you would expect from an object of substantial age that has been displayed/handled/used, usually over the lifetimes of several owners.

DIMENSIONS

Height 16.5cm

POSTAGE - see postage & payments tab for prices

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