The price of a religious statue mainly depends on its size, the type of material, the complexity of the carving and the finish. A small statue may cost just a few dozen euros, while a large, hand-painted or custom-made work of art can reach several thousand euros.
In this guide, you will find the real prices of DOLFI statues, hand-carved in Val Gardena since 1892: a comparison of materials and finishes, a guide by budget and direct links to purchase.
Why choose DOLFI
🌿 Since 1892 — over 130 years of sacred wood carving, passed down from generation to generation.
✋ Handcrafted in Val Gardena — every piece is unique, individually carved and painted by our artisans.
📦 Insured worldwide shipping — custom-made packaging, instalment payments also available, guaranteed returns.
How much does a religious wooden statue cost? The quick answer
Here are DOLFI prices by size, valid for hand-carved statues of Madonnas, Saints and female Saints from Val Gardena, with a comparison between natural maple wood (N) and the hand-painted finish (C / CB / 3G). Prices start from the values shown; models with multiple figures or elaborate details may have higher prices.
| Size | Typical use | Natural wood (N) | Hand-painted (C · CB · 3G) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5–12 cm | Gift, bedside table, collection | from €28.90 | from €59.90 |
| 15 cm | Home, special gift, First Communion | from €60.90 | from €122.90 |
| 20–25 cm | Shelf, entrance hall, private chapel | from €117.90 | from €202.90 |
| 30–40 cm | Important home setting, parish | from €218.90 | from €347.90 |
| 60–80 cm | Church, niche, sanctuary | from €1,043.34 | from €1,321.74 |
| 100–120 cm | Altar, chapel | from €3,014.34 | from €3,941.94 |
| 150 cm and above | Monumental work, commission | from €6,955.74 | from €9,738.54 (on request) |
✓ Insured worldwide shipping · ✓ Instalment payments available · ✓ Guaranteed returns
The hand-painted finish requires additional hours of work, which is why it costs more. Continue reading for a detailed comparison of all finishes and to discover which products are available for every budget.
→ Discover your Madonna | Find your Saint | Our female Saints
How to choose the right religious statue for you
Not sure where to start? Here is a quick guide based on the occasion:
- For the home or as a religious gift — sizes from 12 to 25 cm are among the most popular: perfect for a shelf, entrance hall or as a gift for First Communion, Confirmation, wedding or anniversary. → Find the perfect gift
- For a private chapel or parish — sizes from 30 to 60 cm add presence and solemnity without overwhelming the space. → Explore devotional sculptures
- For a church, sanctuary or outdoor setting — from large wooden sculptures to weather-resistant fibreglass statues. → Request a consultation
The same statue in different finishes: how much does the price change?
One of the aspects that most surprises first-time buyers is how much the finish affects the final price. Taking the 15 cm Our Lady of Lourdes statue as a reference — one of DOLFI's best-selling models — here is the real comparison between all available finishes:
| Finish | Description | Price (15 cm) | Why it costs this much |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural wood (N) | Raw maple wood, visible grain, no colouring | €60.90 | Only sanding and oiling. No painting process. |
| Olive wood (U) | Italian olive wood, warm natural grain unique to each piece | €69.90 | Premium wood with pronounced grain; naturally finished to enhance its fibre structure. |
| Hand-painted (C) | Complete acrylic painting, painted garments, skin tones, precise details | €122.90 | Additional hours of work to paint every detail with fine brushes. |
| Blue painted (CB) | Deep blue mantle, typical of Marian iconography | €122.90 | The same craftsmanship as the painted version, with a specific colour palette. |
| Three shades of brown (3G) | Warm wood tones, antique effect, hand-finished | €122.90 | Manual application of three layers of colour with progressive shading. |
Painted maple wood
Blue painted maple wood
Three shades of brown
Olive wood
Note: prices refer to the 15 cm Our Lady of Lourdes statue; models with multiple figures or attributes (crown, child, animals) have higher prices.
→ Compare all finishes in the Madonna collection
What determines the value of a wooden statue?
It is not enough to say that it is handmade: you have to prove it. Here are the nine stages every DOLFI statue goes through before reaching your home.
1. Wood quality and drying
We use exclusively maple and lime wood from Val Gardena, selected for its fine grain and lack of knots. The wood is naturally dried for years before being worked. Poorly seasoned wood shrinks, cracks and can deform the sculpture over time. This invisible step is the foundation of everything.
2. Model development
Each subject begins with an original sketch designed and modelled by DOLFI's sculptors. The proportions are studied according to traditional Catholic iconography: the position of the hands, the inclination of the head and the length of the mantle. A wrong model produces thousands of wrong pieces.
3. Rough carving
The basic shape is created using computer-controlled CNC milling machines, ensuring millimetre precision. This stage reduces production time and ensures that every piece of the same size has an identical supporting structure.
4. Hand finishing
After rough carving, every statue passes into the hands of our woodcarvers. Using chisels and carving tools, they complete by hand every detail that the machine cannot create: the folds of the mantle, the facial expression, the fingers, hair and feet. The larger the statue, the more hours this stage requires — and this is where much of the value is created.
5. Hand painting
For painted versions, every statue is individually painted by specialised artists. No two pieces are exactly alike: skin tones, mantle shading and eye details are created by hand using extremely fine brushes. A painted 20 cm Madonna requires an average of 2–3 hours of painting alone.
6. Gilding
Halos, mantle borders, crowns and golden decorations are applied using gold leaf or gold powder with a brush. This is a process that requires a steady hand and high-quality materials: gold leaf is extremely thin and leaves no room for mistakes.
7. Number of details
A simple standing Madonna has fewer details than a Madonna with Child, crown, rosary and decorated mantle. Every additional element — an open hand, a flower or an animal at the feet — increases the production time. This is why apparently similar models can have very different prices.
8. Quality control
Before shipping, every piece is inspected: surface finish, base stability, colour consistency, integrity of the gilding and absence of cracks. Pieces that do not pass quality control are reworked or discarded.
9. Protective packaging
Each statue is individually packaged using custom-made shock-absorbing materials. For large sizes (60 cm and above), we use wooden crates or shaped polystyrene. The packaging is designed to withstand international transport: a €3,000 statue cannot arrive damaged.
Religious statues by budget: what can you buy?
Each price range corresponds to a specific type of use and a different level of craftsmanship. Here is a quick guide with real examples from the DOLFI catalogue.
Under €100 — the devotional gift
You do not need to spend a lot to give a meaningful gift: under €100, you can find religious statues hand-carved by DOLFI artisans in Val Gardena, perfect as a baptism keepsake, First Communion gift, Confirmation gift or faith-inspired present. Three examples from the catalogue:
- Guardian Angel from €16.90
- Holy Family in wood from €39.90
- Religious statues in wood paste from €56.90
Guardian Angel with Child
Infinite Embrace Holy Family
Immaculate Heart Madonna
€100 to €360 — the most requested price range
This is the price range that best combines craftsmanship and accessibility: hand-carved and hand-painted statues in ideal sizes for the home, entrance hall or as a meaningful gift for Confirmation, wedding or anniversary. At this price, you can bring home a unique work of art, as every DOLFI statue is individually carved by local artisans and finished by hand in ways that no industrial process can replicate.
- Immaculate Conception Madonna 20 cm from €105.90
- Stylised Christ on Cross 27 cm from €101.90
- Saint Andrew sculpture 20 cm from €117.90
Immaculate Conception Madonna
Stylised Christ on Cross
Saint Andrew
€360 to €1,000 — large devotional sculptures
When a statue becomes the focal point of a sacred space — a private chapel, parish or prestigious entrance — the choice falls on large-format sculptures with elaborate finishes and an imposing presence. In this price range, you will find works that combine craftsmanship and lasting value: they are not simply decorations, but works of sacred art designed to be passed down from generation to generation.
- Stylised Holy Family 36 cm from €382.90
- Christ the King Risen in Glory 60 cm from €575.90
Stylised Holy Family
Christ the King Risen in Glory
Over €1,000 — monumental works and custom commissions
Above €1,000, you enter the world of large sacred works of art: statues from 60 cm upwards, intended for churches, sanctuaries, institutional chapels or high-end private collections. Every piece in this range is a genuine work of art — with long production times, exceptional finishes and custom-made packaging for shipping. For sizes over 100 cm or special subjects, the price is determined by quotation based on the specific requirements.
- Our Lady of Lourdes 60 cm from €1,043.34
- Saint Francis of Assisi 80 cm from €1,855.14
- Custom commissions — personalised subject, size and finish
Do you need an important religious statue?
Tell us about your project: subject, size, finish and intended location. We will reply within 48 business hours with a personalised proposal.
Request your quotationFrequently asked questions about religious statue prices
Why does a painted statue cost more than a natural wood statue?
Hand painting requires additional hours of work. Every detail is painted individually by specialised artisans. Natural wood is only sanded and treated with protective oils, without painting.
Wood, wood paste or fibreglass: which costs less?
Wood paste is generally the most affordable option for complex subjects in small sizes (from €56.90). Fibreglass is a practical choice for large sizes and outdoor use. Hand-carved maple wood is the most valuable and durable option.
How much does a custom-made statue cost?
Custom statues are quoted on a case-by-case basis. Contact us with your requirements and we will reply within 48 business hours.
How much does a statue for a church cost?
For liturgical use, sizes from 60 cm upwards are generally chosen. Natural wood prices start at around €1,043 for a 60 cm statue; fibreglass starts at around €575 for the white finish. Churches and parishes can request a dedicated quotation.
Does the price increase proportionally with the size?
No, the increase is not linear: doubling the size can triple or quadruple the price because manual production time increases exponentially with the dimensions.
Is shipping insured?
Yes. All DOLFI statues are carefully packaged and shipped worldwide with a tracked courier service. For large statues, we use reinforced custom-made packaging.
How long does it take to produce a statue?
Statues available in stock are shipped within 2–5 business days. Custom commissions require varying production times: contact us for an accurate estimate.
Is instalment payment available for important statues?
Yes, our online store supports instalment payments through the methods available at checkout. For high-value orders, contact us directly to discuss personalised payment solutions.
Why choose DOLFI?
DOLFI was founded in Val Gardena in 1892. For over 130 years, we have been producing religious wooden statues in maple and lime wood, hand-carved and hand-painted by local artisans. Every piece is unique, inspected before shipping and made with carefully selected materials and craftsmanship. You are not simply buying a statue: you are bringing home a work of sacred art that can accompany your family for generations.
→ Find your DOLFI sacred work of art
