Dievdirbiai

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Dievdirbiai - (God Carvers) are Lithuanian wood carvers who made statues of Jesus and Christian saints. It is a unique Lithuanian traditional craft.

The statues were carved according to artistic conventions that were developed over the centuries after Lithuania adopted Christianity. They are displayed along roadsides, in cemeteries, and in chapels or churches.

The most popular figures were of St. Roch, the Pieta, John of Nepomuk, Saint Casimir, the Nativity, Jesus Christ (including the "Sorrowful Jesus - Rūpintojėlis"), Saint Florian, Saint George, Saint Anthony, Saint Agatha, and Saint Isidore.

Using basic tools, the sculptures were carved out of linden wood, or occasionally oak, and sometimes painted. Along with three-dimensional sculptures, relief and bas-relief were also cultivated. The works would decorate the altars of rural churches, of portable church altars, processional banners, dwellings, and barns. The Stations of the Cross often feature these works as well.