In English:
Original English text updated in March 2014. In this series there are presented 57 paupers.
These historical wooden Poor-man (pauper) wooden statues are presented in their original surroundings. It is difficult to understand them at first, because man can find them only in Finland and some in Sweden. They are found mainly on the area called Ostrobothnia in Finland. They are part of our cultural heritage and thus being something special. What they are, why man made them, what is their history and how many of them exist? All these questions are replied in my next three posts.
Since I saw the first one nearly ten years ago, I felt sympathy to them. They were so cute, so live looking and well made. Seeing those statues later after years, many of them were in bad condition, I came sad. I saw that time and hard weather had left marks on them. I asked myself if anybody takes care of them, because they needed urgent restoration.
According to the latest calculations there are 145 paupers from which 107 (poor-man statues) + 1 (poor-woman statue) in active service, meaning collecting money to the poor. The rest of them are found in local museums around Finland. Total number of them is calculated to been about 180. In Sweden there are only nine paupers left.
Background:
All this began in 1649 (at that time Finland was under administration of Sweden) when Swedish queen Kristina (1629 – 1689) gave order to make money collection logs. In Europe wars raged around and many soldiers wounded in wars losing foot or arm. When wounded in this way they had to return to their home. These money collection-logs were modified to pauper (poor-man) statues by local artists. They were placed usually beside church doors and on the walls of bell towers. Man built for them small wooden shelter to protect them sun shine, direct rain and snow. In recent years many churches moved them into porches. So, many pauper statues present men missing hand, foot or even ear having models from solders maimed in wars. Man must remember that in the 1700, 1800 and 1900 century people were very poor, but they visited church every Sunday faithfully. I think that these pauper statues were great start for modern help of the poor (social security).
Pauper statues have moneybox in their chest and to put coins into them there is a slot in the chest. In general the Finnish people are honest and this means that there a few robberies against the pauper statues. Robberies have happened, yes indeed. Latest robbery happened in 2013 when the whole pauper statue in Rautio was stolen. It was found after winter in a ditch. The lock and money box were missing, but the statue was in good condition. Also the pauper of Alavieska has been robbed many times. In addition to these robberies, there have been some minor mischiefs like removing hands. Many paupers have beside them a written small phrase. Although the text might slightly differ from others, the main idea is: “he who has mercy on the poor, lends to the Lord”.
My posts go this way: First I present four churches and after photos of every church I show poor man statues with general views and close-ups. Because all pauper statues are presented in their natural environment, You will see also photos from churches, Chandeliers, Pulpits,Altapieces,Altars, Memorialsand Belltowers.
Always I could not visit churches inside, but in many cases yes. Enjoy our cultural heritage!
En español:
Historia de pobres hombres tallada en madera y la estatua estatua de pobrecita mujer.
Hay 107 estatuas de pobre hombres y una estatua de pobrecita mujer.
Al manejar mi carro alrededor en mi país, sacando fotos de las iglesias he encontrado algunas estatuas raras al lado de iglesias o campanarios. Ellos eran hombres o mujeres, y siempre sus mano o el pie había desaparecido, pero de todos modos esos estatues veía bien. Al examinar más de cerca encontré un hueco en ellos. Entonces entendí que se puede poner dinero en el hueco y dentro hay una cajita. ¿Por qué estos cajas / estatuas en madera de pobre hombres mendigos, se han creado, ¿cuándo?
Todo esto empieza en 1649 cuando la reina Cristina de Suecia dio la orden para hacer los leños de los pobres y ponerlos al lado de las puertas de las iglesias, campanarios o algunos lugares públicos. Pronto los leños de los pobres fueron modificados para estatuas de pobre hombre par artistas locales en Finlandia. En ese tiempo Finlandia estaba bajo la administración de Suecia. En Europa guerras devastó todos partes en Europa y muchos soldados heridos mismos perdiendo su pie o el brazo. Cuando heridos de esta manera ellos tuvieron que regresar a su casa.
En el 1700, 1800 y 1900 la gente del siglo era muy pobre, pero ellos visitaron la iglesia todos los domingos fielmente, así el lugar natural para esas estatuas pobres-el hombre estaba fue junto a iglesias o campanarios. Tal vez estas estatuas de pobres hombres ayudó a los más pobres, por supuesto, no existen estadicas.
Este post va de esta manera: Primero presento cuatro iglesias y después las fotos de estatuas pobres hombres.
En francais:
Histoire de statues sculptées en bois de pauvre-homme et de pauvre-femme statue.
Il ya 107 statues de pauvre-hommes et une statue pauvre femme.
Lorsque je conduisais autour dans mon pays pour prendre des photos des églises sur la campagne, j’ai trouvé quelques statues particulières à côté des églises ou des campaniles. Ils étaient des hommes ou des femmes et dont toujours la main ou le pied les manquait, mais de toute façon ces statues avaient l’air si bien. Lorsque en examinant les de plus près, j’ai trouvé une fente. Puis j’ai réalisé que l’on peut mettre des pièces à l’intérieur dans la fente du bûche. Pourquoi ces pauvres bûches / pauvre-homme de bois / bois statues mendiants ont été mis en place, quand?
Tout cela commence 1649 quand Christine de Suède a donné l’ordre de faire les pauvres bûches et de les mettre à côté des portes d’église, clochers ou de certains lieux publics. Bientôt ces pauvres bûches ont été modifiés pour homme pauvres statues par des artistes locaux en Finlande. En ce moment la Finlande était sous l’administration de la Suède. Les guerres faisaient rage autour de l’Europe et nombreux soldats blessés ont perdu le pied ou le bras. Lorsque blessés de cette façon ils devaient retourner à leur domicile.
Dans les années 1700, 1800 et 1900 les gens était très pauvres, mais ils ont visité l’église chaque dimanche fidèlement, de sorte que, le lieu naturel pour ces statues de pauvres-hommes était à côté des églises ou des campaniles. Peut-être ces statues de pauvres-hommes ont aidé les plus pauvres, mais des statistiques, ils existent pas bien sûr.
Mon poste va dans cette façon: Premièrement je présente quatre églises et puis et à la fin les photos de statues de pauvre hommes.
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala (photos / fotos 2012):
Church built 1792 / Iglesia construida 1792 / Église construite 1792
Belltower built 1741 / Campanario construido 1741 / Clocher construit 1741
Height of Poor-man statue 156cm (5 feet and 1.1 inches) / Altura de estatua de pobre hombre 156cm / Hauteur de statue de pauvre Homme 165cm. Statue from 1851 / Estatua del año 1851 / Statue 1851
Rautio (photos / fotos 2012):
Church built 1800/ Iglesia construida 1800/ Église construite 1800.
Belltower built 1800 / Campanario construido 1800, / Clocher construite 1800. Height of Poor-man statue 167 (5 feet and 5.7 inches)) / Altura de estatua de pobre hombre 167 / Hauteur de statue de pauvre Homme 167. Statue from ? / Estatua del año ?/ Statue de les ans ?0.
Savonlinna (photos / fotos 2012):
Church built 1846 / Iglesia construida 1846 / Église construite 1846
Belltower built ? / Campanario construido ¿/ Clocher construite?
Height of Poor-man statue ?cm (? feet and ? inches) / Altura de estatua de pobre hombre? cm / Hauteur de statue de pauvre Homme ?cm. Statue from ?s / Estatua del años ?/ Statue des ans ?
Veteli(photos / fotos 2012):
Church built 1838–1839 / Iglesia construida 1838–1839 / Église construite 1838–1839
Belltower built 1859 / Campanario construido 1859 / Clocher construite 1859
Height of Poor-man statue 186cm (6 feet and 1.2inches) / Altura de estatua de pobre hombre 186cm / Hauteur de statue de pauvre Hommer 186cm. Statue from 1845 / Estatua de 1845 / Statue de 1845.
Poor-man statues 12 / Estatuas de pobre hombre 12 / Statues de Pauvre Homme 12
Poor-man statues 14 / Estatuas de pobre hombre 14 / Statues de Pauvre Homme 14
Travels in Finland and abroad 
You must be logged in to post a comment.