Urvalets

Urvalets are a class of small figural objects produced and used by communities in the fictional region of Valora. Traditionally carved or molded by hand, they function as guardians of households, as well as tokens in seasonal and life-cycle rites. They are typically kept on domestic altars or displayed in living spaces.

The name Urvalets is believed to derive from the Ur language roots ur- meaning guardian and -valet, a diminutive suffix. In contemporary scholarship, the term is used to describe both the objects and the practices surrounding them.

Historical references to Urvalets appear in regional chronicles dating to the early medieval period. Over time, three major stylistic traditions emerged: Northern highland Urvalets carved in ebony with inlaid bone; Coastal Urvalets ceramic with bright glazes; and River valley Urvalets wooden figures painted in geometric patterns. Modern reproductions have broadened their materials and forms.

Most Urvalets share a simplified humanoid form with upright posture and stylized features. Common motifs include concentric circles around the chest, linear borders on the limbs, and paired figures representing kinship or guardianship. Typical heights range from 4 to 15 centimeters.

In traditional practice, each household places an Urvalet on the altar during planting and harvest cycles, blessing the family and crops. New Urvalets are often acquired as gifts to commemorate milestones or to replace worn figures, and some communities micro-ritualize water or dye ceremonies with the figures.

Today Urvalets are collected as folk art and subjects of museum study. Contemporary artisans revise traditional shapes in metal, glass, or polymer, while community groups sustain apprenticeship programs and festivals that celebrate the objects’ cultural role.