A Békés Megyei Múzeumok Közleményei 23. (Békéscsaba, 2002)

Baligáné Szűcs Irén: In the Békés Museum preserved relics of Sándor Szikszay gingerbread/honey-cake maker craftsman rewarded with golden diploma

Szikszai Sándor mézeskalácsos mester emlékanyaga a békési múzeumban In the Békés Museum preserved relics of Sándor Szikszay gingerbread/honey-cake maker craftsman rewarded with golden diploma - Baligáné Irén Szűcs Résumé Sándor Szikszay (1884-1948) was an outstandingly talented representative of the gingerbread/honey-cake making craft having a great past in our region. He learned the basics of his craftmanship in Békés then he spent a longer apprenticeship in Debrecen, and going on with the traditions and styles of this region he became a nationwide wellknown craftsman. From the 1920-ies the.Trade and the general public took notice of the gingerbreads/honey-cakes made with the wooden moulds designed and cut by himself. In 1925 he was granted by the greatest honour, the gingerbread/honey-cake maker craftsman with golden diploma. The wooden moulds and the pattern/mould book (including also the sketch of 100 pes wooden moulds) made by him and published in Békés, could be regarded as the most valuable pieces of the Szikszay material, preserved in the Békés Museum. The wooden moulds of Szikszay had a wide topic scale, including the traditional hussar, horse, sword, heart, baby etc. but he created also new types: car, chimney-sweeper, young lady etc. The ornamentation/decoration of the forms were very rich, the various ornaments/decorations were made by sophisticated construction and under folk art inspiration. The examination of the wooden beaters, moulds - representing a significant cultural historical, ethnographic value -, the study of the technical and stylistic changes are important parts of the ethnographical research of the gingerbread/honey-cake craft, for that also the Szikszay material could provide a good basis. Baligáné Szűcs Irén Jantyik Mátyás Múzeum H-5630 Békés, Széchenyi tér 6. 305