ISTVÁN B. GELLÉR

ISTVÁN B. GELLÉR / THE GROWING CITY / FINDS

The clay Testaments

Common grave furniture of the Growing City. It appears probable as being connected with the wake of and wailing for the dead. The Last Will and Testament was pressed into clay packed over the dead person's face, and this was fired to show that the inheritance had been finalised. The words themselves combined the departure of the dead person and the actual division of his possessions. Here is an example:
The outer decoration generally depicts the circum¬stances of the person's death, or rather of the depth of the mourning. Certain researchers believe that the "split masks" belong to the corpses of warriors. In the case of the "pock-marked" masks, the decorations may refer to the first sign of leprosy. The slivers of wood, thorns, bands and feathers found on the masks are exceptionally subjective messages wich at the moment we are unable to decipher.

My footprints already cold in the dust
Will be blown smooth by the evening gust
My life ebbs in the rill water
My cattle I leave to my strong son
My house to my sweet-voiced daughter
Life is naught but a short moan.
(Pub. S. J. Robin)

Clay Testament (The Warrior)

ceramic, bone · 25 × 20 × 5 cm

The clay Testaments

Clay Testament (The Warrior)

Leletek