This is an authentic rich hand carved olive wood Praying Hands Statue, made by Bethlehems' finest craftsmen.

Please note that each statue is unique as each one is carved with love and may differ very slightly from that pictured.

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Background Story of the Praying Hands Motif

According to tradition, the 15th century artist Albrecht Durer was born in Germany into a very large, poor family. Both Albrecht and his brother Albert were talented artists, but due to the family’s financial situation, only one of them was able to study art at the famous Academy in Nuremberg. The brothers made a pact that whoever won the toss of a coin would study and the loser would go to work in the mines in order to support the brother at the academy. After 4 years they would swap and the brother who had studied would support the second brother either by selling their art or if necessary by working in the mines.

Albrecht Durer won the toss and his brother Albert went to work in the mines. Albrecht produced beautiful etchings, woodcuts and oil paintings and he became successful. After 4 years her returned to a triumphant homecoming. When he told his brother Albert that now his turn had come to study his beloved art, Albert was unable to go as his hands had been badly damaged while working in the mines and he was now so stricken with arthritis that he was unable to hold a pen or a brush. To pay homage to Albert for all that he had sacrificed, Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brother's abused hands with palms together and thin fingers stretched skyward. He called his powerful drawing simply ''Hands,'' but the entire world almost immediately opened their hearts to his great masterpiece and renamed his tribute of love, ''The Praying Hands.''

This famous picture hands have been copied in woodcuts, crystals, paintings by many artists. Next time you see a copy of that touching creation let it be a reminder to you, that no one ever makes it alone!

Environmentally friendly as they are made only from the prunings of ancient olive trees growing in the Bethlehem region, the site of the nativity of Jesus (Matt 2, Luke 2).

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Information about olive wood:

Olive trees are indigenous to the Holy Land and are treasured because the oil from their fruit has been used for religious rites since biblical times. The olive wood used in these beautiful products is of the highest quality and is distinctive for its dark lines. It comes only from olive wood trees that are grown in the area between Shechem and Hebron that are not irrigated. The olive tree is a protected species in Israel and cannot be cut down. Once every two years the olive trees are pruned so that they bear fruit and it is from these prunings that these handcrafted pieces are made. The prunings are stored for almost 5 years until they are dry enough to carve, before they are used by the craftsmen for these exquisite pieces.

Olive wood items make perfect gifts. Not only are they imbued with spirituality, they also do not require much care since olive oil is naturally protecting them from corrosion and changes of color.