James the Greater was one of the twelve apostles; his tomb in Santiago de Compostela is the goal of the Camino de Santiago. This rare depiction shows him as a pilgrim carrying a child on his shoulder. He is the patron saint of pilgrims; his feast day is 25 July.
Every figure is hand-carved in our partner workshop in Val Gardena (South Tyrol). Woodcarving has a long tradition in the Gardena Valley: as early as the 17th century it was widespread there. Every piece is one of a kind: grain, carving marks and painting always turn out a little different.
- Material: wood from the Gardena Valley – mainly lime wood, depending on size also maple or Swiss stone pine
- Heights: 12, 20, 30, 36, 40, 60, 80 cm
- Finishes: natural, multicolour stained, hand-painted, genuine gold leaf, antique genuine gold leaf
- Delivery time: approx. 3–4 weeks, insured shipping directly from the workshop in South Tyrol to Germany and Austria (€6.90)
- Returns: 14-day statutory right of withdrawal
The finishes at a glance –Natural: finely sanded, untreated wood.Multicolour stained: three stain tones with wax, with gold or silver accents on details and robe hems depending on the motif.Hand-painted: painted with oil paints, decorated with gold leaf and silver leaf details and fixed with lacquer.Genuine gold leaf: gilded with real gold leaf and then painted.Antique genuine gold leaf: fine crackle surface, gilded with real gold leaf and painted – looks like an old original.
A gift for pilgrims before or after the Camino de Santiago, for a name day or for travellers. Discover more hand-carvedsaint statues from South Tyrol.
Motif & meaning
St James the Greater is one of the defining apostles and pilgrim saints of the Christian tradition. As one of Christ's first disciples and later a martyr, he symbolically stands for courage, faithfulness and the path of spiritual journeying. This depiction takes up that meaning in a particularly striking, narrative form: James strides forcefully ahead, and the child on his shoulder points to care, protection and the readiness to carry the weaker along the way. This rare variant of the motif presents his role as companion on the road and spiritual support in a special way.
The raised walking staff and the dynamic posture emphasise the pilgrim aspect that still makes James a central motif for people setting out on spiritual or life-changing journeys. The movement of the figure gives the saint a continuous forward momentum – a symbol of determination, trust and carrying on despite challenges. The child on the shoulder adds to this message the dimension of responsibility and of carrying someone safely onward.
In its cultural and spiritual context, the figure brings together the tradition of the Camino de Santiago, the veneration of him as an apostle and the idea of pilgrimage. It is therefore suitable both for prayer rooms and as an inspiring companion at home. Many people turn to St James when travelling or in new phases of life, which makes the figure a meaningful gift for occasions such as the start of a pilgrimage, Confirmation, Communion or jubilees. It conveys courage, orientation and the certainty of not walking alone.
Finish, origin & special features
The figure of “St James the Greater” is made entirely by craftsmen in Val Gardena, a region that has been known for centuries for its high-quality sacred woodcarving. The process begins with selected, air-dried lime wood, whose fine structure allows particularly detailed work on the face, hands, robes and anatomical forms. After cutting, the blank is modelled by hand. In the fine carving, patient detail work brings out the characteristic features of this depiction: the vigorous stride, the deeply drawn folds of the robe, the carved staff and the delicate expression of the child on the shoulder.
The figure is then carefully sanded before the chosen finish is applied. The natural finish shows the pure grain and the clarity of the carving. The multicolour stained version emphasises the three-dimensional quality of the lines through its tinting. In the hand-painted colour finish, every part – from the robes to the delicate skin tones – is built up layer by layer in the traditional technique. Gold accents highlight selected details and give the depiction additional expressiveness. Depending on the series, patinated or slightly antiqued finishes may also occur, giving the motif a subtle depth and a warm character.
All stages of work – carving, finishing, inspection – take place 100% in Val Gardena/South Tyrol. A strict final inspection ensures that every figure meets the standard of craftsmanship for which Val Gardena is appreciated worldwide. Depending on the series, the figure may be supplied with a certificate of origin or bear the Val Gardena quality label, which documents regional production.
The combination of traditional craftsmanship, high-quality materials and an expressive, narrative design results in a figure that works as a powerful companion in sacred spaces and in the home alike, and as a one-of-a-kind work of craft.
Dimensions & finish
| Motif | St James the Greater as a Pilgrim–Material: wood from the Gardena Valley – mainly lime wood, depending on size also maple or Swiss stone pine–Production: hand-carved in Val Gardena, South Tyrol–Finishes: Natural, multicolour stained, hand-painted, genuine gold leaf, antique genuine gold leaf–Heights: 12, 20, 30, 36, 40, 60, 80 cm–Origin: Italy (South Tyrol)–Workshop article number: 6810 |
| Origin | Italy |
|---|
| Item number | 1219361634505 |
|---|
| EAN | |
Package contents
- – 1 × wooden statue “St James the Greater as a Pilgrim” in the chosen size and finish
- – transport-safe packaging
- – insured shipping directly from the workshop in South Tyrol
Notes
–Delivery time: approx. 3–4 weeks – your figure is prepared in the workshop and shipped directly from South Tyrol–Shipping: insured, to Germany and Austria €6.90–Returns: 14-day statutory right of withdrawal–Transport damage: please report within 48 hours – hallo@lunexus.world or +49 30 2178 2502 (German and English)–One of a kind: grain, colour tone and fine details vary from piece to piece–Care: for indoor use; dust dry with a soft cloth, no cleaning agents; do not polish gilded surfaces