Saint Nicholas with Apples – Hand-Carved Wooden Statue

Saint Nicholas of Myra (lived in the 4th century) is one of the most widely revered saints in all of Christendom. A merciful bishop in modern-day Turkey, he was famous for his boundless charity, social justice, and good deeds performed in secret. His most famous and traditional depiction shows him holding three golden apples (often described as three golden spheres or balls) resting on a book. This noble wooden figure masterfully embodies the joy of giving, the protection of the family, and unwavering kindness at the highest level of craftsmanship.

Product Features & Iconography

Our wooden statue of Saint Nicholas stands out for its fine, detail-rich craftsmanship, perfectly capturing the solemn and benevolent character of the great protector:

• The Attributes: Depicted in classic, splendid episcopal vestments, complete with a mitre and crosier. In his hands, he holds a book upon which three golden apples rest. This attribute recalls his most famous rescue story and is considered the origin of the modern tradition of leaving gifts overnight.

• Premium Material: Carved from durable sycamore maple with a fine grain (for smaller sizes) or from noble, first-choice linden wood (for medium and large-scale sculptures up to 90 cm).

• Finishes: Available in Natural (untreated wood), Multi-toned (shaded and finished with a protective wax stain), or Hand-painted with Real Gold (decorated by hand with high-quality oil paints and refined gold leaf accents).

• Origin: High-quality traditional art craftsmanship, created to ensure exceptional durability across generations.

Product Details & Specifications

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

When is the feast day of St. Nicholas?

The liturgical feast day and widely celebrated festival of Saint Nicholas falls on December 6. On this day (or the evening before), the tradition of giving gifts to children is kept worldwide in memory of the saint's generosity.

Why is St. Nicholas depicted with three golden apples?

This attribute stems from the famous "dowry legend": an impoverished father felt forced to push his three daughters into prostitution because he did not have the money for their dowries. When Nicholas found out, he secretly threw a large lump of gold (later depicted in art as three golden apples or spheres) through the window of the house for three consecutive nights. In doing so, he saved the girls from misery and enabled them to marry honorably.

What is the difference between St. Nicholas and Santa Claus?

This wooden statue represents the historical figure of Saint Nicholas as a Christian bishop, recognizable by the mitre and the crosier. The modern Santa Claus, on the other hand, is a commercial and pop culture figure born between the 19th and 20th centuries; although loosely inspired by St. Nicholas traditions, it is devoid of religious symbols.

What is the best way to clean and care for a wooden statue?

To protect this natural product from cracking or warping, the statue should not be placed near direct heat sources (such as radiators) or exposed to intense, direct sunlight. For regular cleaning, a soft, dry brush or a lint-free cloth is more than sufficient. Please do not use liquids or chemical cleaning agents.

Why This Wooden Statue is a Meaningful Addition

This artistically finished wooden sculpture of St. Nicholas with apples is far more than a simple decoration for the Advent season. It makes an ideal and profound gift for a Name Day, a birth, a baptism, or for St. Nicholas' Day itself. As the protector of children and travelers, it brings a timeless blessing and a constant reminder of the power of charity into any home throughout the year.

Available versions and sizes:

natural Natural wood not treated

stained Stained and treated with pastel paints

stained 3 col. Stained with at least 3 shades of color and treated with pastel paints

color Colored with oil paints and gilded with gold leaf

real gold Colored with acrylic colors on a chalk background and gilded with 18 carat gold