Nestled in the Dolomites in the north of Italy is Val Gardena, an area renowned for its tradition of wood carving, is the workshop of Hape Sculpture. This particular firm has been operating for more than 35 years now, though from the quality of their work, you'd certainly be forgiven if you thought the workshop had been in operation for far longer than that.
This invites a slight digression. for a church proper, it goes without saying that quality matters, but even in the case of devotional art for one's home I have long held the belief that it is far better to have even one qualitative work of art such as this than a multiplicity of lower quality devotional pieces. Why place within your home a myriad of cheaper plaster and, worse yet, resin sculptures, rather than saving up for something such as this? A piece like this will not only be more impactful in the present, it will also be more beautiful and something that be generationally handed down within a family. One beautifully and qualitatively done statue (or icon, painting, etc.) will have far more lasting impact and send a far better message to one's children, than dozens of lower, mass produced goods -- but I digress. 
This particular statue of St. Joseph has the further benefit of being painted and decorated with stencilling and gold leaf. From Hape:
The robe is hand-painted and decorated with "Echtgold" (real gold) leaf, enhancing its rich texture and brilliance. The intricate patterns and color transitions highlight the movement of the garment, while the careful carving of the hands, feet, and folds gives the piece a lifelike quality. A beautiful representation of classic religious artistry, made with precision and devotion.
So then, let's take a look at this beautiful, baroque inspired statue of St. Joseph coming out of Val Gardena.
If you are interested in learning more about the work of Hape Sculpture, please see their website or visit them on social media.
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