Some objects are purely functional. Others are purely decorative. And then there are the rare pieces that exist in a category entirely their own — objects that feel like they carry a history, a soul, a story you can almost but not quite read. Atelier de Thiers makes those pieces.

Rooted in the traditions of European religious and folk art, Atelier de Thiers creates handcrafted objects that feel simultaneously ancient and utterly contemporary. Santos figures, gilded busts, ornate candle holders, celestial chandeliers — each piece is made with the kind of care and craft that mass production simply cannot replicate. These are objects for people who believe a home should tell you something about the person who lives in it.

The Santos Tradition

At the heart of the Atelier de Thiers world is the Santos figure — a tradition with deep roots in Iberian and Latin American devotional art. Santos (from the Portuguese and Spanish for "saints") were originally carved religious figures kept in the home as objects of veneration and protection. In the hands of Atelier de Thiers, this tradition is honoured and reimagined: the figures retain their spiritual gravity while becoming something entirely at home in a modern, secular interior.

The Marta Santos Doll and the Raphaela Santos Doll are beautiful entry points into this world — each figure distinct in character, dressed with extraordinary attention to detail. The Donatta Santos Doll brings her own quiet presence, while the Senora Nonpareil and the Sofia Nonpareil (Blue) offer a more jewel-like, ornamental quality.

For something more sculptural, the Santos Arm and Santos Hand are extraordinary objects — fragments that feel like they've been rescued from a much larger work, and are all the more compelling for it.

Figures & Busts

Beyond the Santos tradition, Atelier de Thiers produces a range of figurative pieces that draw on classical European sculpture and devotional iconography. The Veronese Marta Bust has the quality of a museum piece — serene, timeless, and quietly commanding. The Florentine Angel brings a more celestial energy, while the Wall Cherub is a playful nod to the baroque tradition.

The Jesus w/ Orb and the Antoinette each occupy their own distinct corner of the Atelier de Thiers universe — pieces that reward close looking and work beautifully as focal points in a considered interior.

For the Home

Atelier de Thiers extends beyond figurative work into objects for the home that carry the same handcrafted spirit. The Hydrangea Candle Holder is a sculptural piece as much as a functional one — its floral detail making it beautiful whether or not a candle is lit. The Vintage Sconce brings old-world atmosphere to any wall.

The Giant Flower Chandelier is a statement piece in the truest sense — the kind of object that defines a room and becomes the thing guests ask about first. And the Marriage Dome is a deeply romantic object, evoking the Victorian tradition of preserving precious things under glass.

For something more whimsical, the Bird Cage and the Sitting Brown Bunny bring a lighter touch — charming, characterful, and very much at home alongside the more serious pieces in the range.

How to Style Atelier de Thiers

These pieces reward thoughtful placement. A few principles:

• Give them space. Atelier de Thiers objects have presence — they don't need to compete. A Santos figure on a mantelpiece, a bust on a plinth, a chandelier in an otherwise simple room: restraint amplifies impact.
• Mix the sacred and the everyday. These pieces look extraordinary alongside books, candles, flowers, and other objects you love. They don't need a shrine — they thrive in lived-in spaces.
• Consider height and grouping. A cluster of pieces at varying heights — a doll, a candle holder, a small bust — creates a vignette that feels curated rather than cluttered.
• Let patina and texture speak. Atelier de Thiers pieces often have aged, gilded, or distressed finishes. Pair them with natural materials — linen, wood, stone — for a grounded, layered look.

Objects Worth Owning

In a world of disposable décor, Atelier de Thiers makes things that last — not just physically, but emotionally. These are pieces you'll move from home to home, that will mean something to the people who inherit them, that will still feel right in twenty years.

Explore the full Atelier de Thiers range at Twitchers Emporium and find the piece that speaks to you.