Offer | Spanish Handmade Figurines  | Nativity Figures

Offer | Spanish Handmade Statues | Nativity Figures | Nativity Scene

• Nativity set of the Holy Family: Baby Jesus, Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph.
• 80 cm (31.5 in) in height.
• Item in stock for immediate shipping.
• Clearance of the last unit.
• Finished in gold leaf.
• Figures made of wood paste.
• Hand-painted decoration.
• Figures with glass eyes.
• Gilded base, polished and chiseled.
• Halos made of engraved and die-cut metal.

Spanish Handcraft Catholic Statues

Catholic statues are a highly demanded category of religious products. Statues of Saints, the Virgin, Jesus, etc., are in many locations. They can be found on church altars, private altars, Brotherhood houses, public places, etc.

Catholic statues invite the faithful to deepen their understanding of the mysteries of Christian faith. They help create the right atmosphere for believers to offer their prayers and engage in a true dialogue with God.

a wide variety of Catholic statues are available. Today, you can buy Catholic statues made in many materials, sizes, finishes, and prices. From very inexpensive figures of barely 10 cm (3.94 in), made of economical materials, to life-size (180 cm (70.87 in)) sculptural statues for processions in the most important Holy Week celebrations.

Manufacturing techniques, size, and materials determine significant price differences. Our online store strives to have all kinds of Catholic statues. However, we specialize in Olot statues, also known as statues from the Olot workshops.

These artistic pieces have unique characteristics that make them easily identifiable: handcrafted from wood paste, halos, and metal crowns, expressive glass eyes, entirely hand-painted decorations, and highly detailed, beautiful faces.

The distinctive properties of Olot statues, crafted by workshops like Arte Cristiano, make them unique pieces of high value and recognition. Catholic statues made in the Olot workshops can be found in almost every country in the world. Especially in the Americas and Europe, their reputation is notable among buyers of such sculptures.

Catholic Statues Offers | Museu del Sants de Olot Exhibition

The statue described is offered at a discount price because it was made for display in the Museu dels Sants de Olot.

The Museum of Saints in Olot has an exhibition room where pieces made in the Arte Cristiano workshops can be admired. These pieces are temporarily exhibited and later sold at discounted prices so other parishes or brotherhoods can enjoy them.

The exhibition works are in perfect condition but were not customized for any buyer. They are made according to the artisans' own criteria and decorated in different finishes so visitors to the museum can discover the work of Arte Cristiano in all its splendor.

History and Tradition of Handmade Spanish Catholic Statues

At the end of the 19th century, specifically on November 1, 1880, , the first workshop dedicated to producing Catholic statues was born in Olot, Catalonia: Arte Cristiano. This workshop marked a milestone by becoming a reference in the creation of Christian art statues, leveraging the artistic talent of the local Fine Arts School.

In its early years, the workshop specialized in creating large-format Christian art statues, handcrafted.

In 1884, it introduced wood-paste, an innovative material that revolutionized production, enabling the efficient creation of high-quality statues. By 1899, it had over 200 models and began exporting to Latin America through specialized catalogs.

Expansion and Crisis of the Sector

The success of Arte Cristiano led to the emergence of new workshops in Olot at the beginning of the 20th century, many founded by former workers of the original workshop. During the early decades, the industry flourished, making Olot an important center of Catholic statues.

In the 1930s, factors such as the Spanish Civil War and an anti-religious climate caused a severe crisis in the sector. In this context, workshops diversified their production, manufacturing busts of political figures, anatomical models, and non-religious pieces. Exporting to Latin America was key to maintaining activity during this period.

After the Spanish Civil War, with the victory of the National Front and Franco's rise to power, the church products and statues sector experienced a revival.

The replacement of statues destroyed during the war and the clerical environment fostered a new growth phase.

After decades of high sales volumes, in the 1960s, the Second Vatican Council brought a new crisis as the demand for Catholic statues for churches declined.

Arte Cristiano, Spanish Handcraft Catholic Statues 

Despite fluctuations in demand, Arte Cristiano kept the artisanal tradition alive.

Each statue begins with a clay model, crafted by expert sculptors. A mold and a silicone counter-mold are made from this model.

Once the molds are ready, they are filled with wood paste. This mold creates the central structure of the statue. Larger statues are reinforced with braces to enhance their consistency.

The most delicate parts, such as arms and hands, are molded separately and reinforced with wires to facilitate their restoration.

Next, the central structure and delicate parts are joined. They are carefully assembled with special putty and sealed to ensure durability and finish.

Additionally, glass eyes are inserted and fixed with putty into the sculpture's face before the heads are assembled.

The decoration process begins Once the statue's structure is complete. The entire surface is polished, and imperfections are removed using specialized tools.

The final step is painting and finishing. The painting process is also handcrafted. First, the statues are coated with a base color using a spray gun. Then, details are hand-painted with oils, highlighting features like lips, eyebrows, and other characteristics. Gold leaf is used on the most expensive finishes.

Current Production and Legacy Preservation

Today, Catholic statues from Olot are intended for both national and international markets, including Europe, Latin America, and the United States. The busiest production periods coincide with Holy Week and Christmas, reflecting the ongoing demand for these unique pieces.

The statues of Olot are not only a testament to tradition and faith but also to the skill and talent of generations of artisans.

Each statue, from its initial modeling to its final finish, reflects a commitment to an artistic legacy that remains alive over a century later.