Figurine - ancestor

Statues as anthropomorphic figures with facial imagery, usually wooden, are referred to as pagan idols. Only a few such objects come from excavations in Pomerania. The best-known Pomeranian idol is a four-faced figurine made of yew wood discovered in Wolin, known as Światowit from Wolin. It was found during excavations near a building identified by the discoverers with a pagan corner. The interpretation has recently come under criticism without changing interpretation of the figurine as some researchers believe that they are remains of a dwelling house from the end of the 9th century. From the 1st half of the 11th century, the presented statue with one face, also carved from yew wood, used to be interpreted as a pagan idol. Some researchers believe that it is an image of a warrior wearing a triangular helmet with a characteristic nose. Moreover, a similar wooden figurine with a hole for hanging was found in Wolin. It is known from the notes of Ebon, the hagiographer of St Otto of Bamberg, that among the Slavs, apart from wooden figures, there were also small idols made of gold. During religious ceremonies, these miniature idols were presented to the participants. Images of deities were made from precious metals for cult activities that took place within temples. Wooden figurines, especially those of them that had the form of a shaft, may have been associated with the performance of rituals, with vegetative or love magic. Hagiographers of St Otto of Bamberg noted the presence of idols maiora et minora, i.e. major and minor deities. However, sporadic figurines of smaller deities - minora - have survived to our times. In this case, we would be dealing with statues not so much for the use of temples, or the whole community in general, but rather for "domestic" use, perhaps associated with the cult performed by the householder. The literature also provides an opinion that some wooden idols are dolls, children's toys for playing "at home."

Anna Bogumiła Kowalska