Argizaiola (wax tablet)

The argizaiola is one of the most singular items in Basque folk religion. It consists of a wooden board (or ohol) around which is wound a thin wax candle (argizari). It is slightly anthropomorphic in shape, and it has a sort of shaft by which it can be held and turned over as the wax gradually burns down. Apart from the central part holding the candle, the rest if generally decorated in motifs, similar to those found on kutxas (chests) and gravestones: geometric patterns, stylised flowers, stars, some human figures, etc.

The idea of offering light to the dead is common to many cultures. However, what makes the argizaiola unusual, apart from its shape and appearance, is that each household had its own. Typically, the woman of the house would light the argizaiola and place it on the family tomb in the local church. This custom persisted even after it ceased to be common practise to bury the dead in the church. Today, the custom of lighting argizaiolas is only maintained in the parish of Amezketa (Gipuzkoa), especially on All Saints' Day.

The one in the picture appears to be from the eighteenth century and comes from Zegama (Gipuzkoa). It is from the F. Díaz Peral collection. The collections of the Provincial Government and San Telmo Museum contain up to 178 specimens, dating from the sixteenth century to the late twentieth century.

Bibliography:

Peña Santiago, Luis Pedro. La "argizaiola" vasca: creencias, ritos y costumbres relacionados con la misma. San Sebastián: Auñamendi, 1964. 197

Peña Santiago, Luis Pedro. La “argizaiola” en Guipúzcoa: su fabricación. Anuario de Eusko-Folklore, 1966-67. 67-70.

Garmendia Larrañaga, Juan. Argizaigin zaar baten oroigarri = En recuerdo a un viejo cerero. In: Euskal esku-langintza = Artesanía vasca. Donostia = San Sebastián : Auñamendi, 1970. II, 8-23

http://www.euskomedia.org/PDFAnlt/jgl/02001375.pdf

Inventory number: GFA-011471-001