Hard figures that won't budge for idols (8)

I believe the answer is:

statuary

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'hard figures' is the definition.
'statuary' can be an answer for 'figures' (I have seen 'Carved figures' mean 'statuary' so perhaps 'figures' could also mean 'statuary'). I am unsure of the 'hard' bit.

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for statuary that I've seen before include "Collection of statues" , "Collective sculpture" , "Carved figures collectively" , "Range of sculpture" , "Collective sculptures" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and the Irish Times.

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