Žetva – Pokrajinski muzej Maribor

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It was once a custom, but it has since been abandoned. When the harvest was over, they would weave a wreath of straw. This was done by a girl, if there was one in the house, otherwise by a woman. The wreath was kept on the outer wall of the house until sowing season. Then it was taken to the field and the seeds were scattered before sowing started. Water was poured on the one who brought the wreath and a scarf or dress was bought for her. (Stapar, Backa)

-Milenko S. Filipović

There is a custom to leave a "beard" on the field at the end of the harvest. A "wreath" made of ears of wheat is brought home, placed on the head of the youngest person. Afterwards, a braid is woven from it. (Banat)

-Milenko S. Filipović

''Kandilo'' or "kruška" are names used in some places for objects created by spirally braiding wheat stems. Their central part is rounded, and the upper and lower ends are cone shaped. The ears of grain are facing down. More advanced forms of this object also exist, created by connecting several "kandilas" of different sizes.

"Kandilo" - a decoration made of straw and ears of wheat. It is made of spirally twisted straw. The ornament is composed of two side parts, which widen at the bottom. They are joined so that the smaller part is placed above the larger one, and the ears of wheat are facing down. Smaller decorations are attached to the widest points of both parts. It was woven by Pavle Dražeta.

Stari Banovci (Srem), Serbs, 1956. Inv. brochure 2137.

''Lesica'' or "brana" is the name for shapes whose upper surface is created by weaving stems - straws, usually in the form of a triangle, trapezoid or rectangle, but with an emphasized triangular part. The lower part consists of ears of wheat, also facing downwards. Š. Kulišić put forward the assumption that the triangular motif in folk ornaments on textiles and Easter eggs was based on this shape.

"Wheat wreath" - decoration made of straw and ears of wheat. It is woven from straw. The upper part is in the form of a trapezoid, with an accentuated triangle in the middle. The ears of wheat are placed laterally on the upper edges of the trapezoid, while in the lower part they are turned downwards.

Kuzmin (Srem), Serbs, 1956. Inv. brochure 2351.

The sheaf is the most unique form of the "beard of God"; it consists of a bundle of cut wheat stalks tied with a red linen ribbon.

A sheaf of wheat. It is tied with a red cotton ribbon.

Bašaid (Banat), Serbs, 1935. Inv. p. 157.

The wreath is made by interweaving the stalks in a circular shape, so that the ears of wheat formed its outer part.

Wheat wreath. It is woven so that the ears are facing outwards. It has a red cotton ribbon tied in a bow.

Sombor (Bačka), Serbs, mid-20th century. Inv. brochure 560.

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