2485 – Sheela Na Gig

Physical description:

A rectangular clay Sheela Na Gig wall plaque. The stylised female figure is standing with her legs apart and with her hands holding open her vagina. She has large eyes and a friendly smile. The figure and her immediate background are coloured in shades of purple and blue, with some yellowish green.

Museum classification:

Goddess

Size:

200 x 145 x 40

Information:

Made by Ama Menec.

Probably loosely based on the carving on Kilpeck Church, near Hereford. These figures may represent a Goddess of Fertility. An alternative possibility, however, is that they are a form of magic intended to help women in childbirth - and idea mentioned by Phil Rickman in his book 'All of a Winter's Night'.

Resource:

Object

Materials:

Ceramic (clay)

Copyright ownership:

Ama Menec Sculpture

Made by Ama Menec.

2076 – Goddess Figure Furniture Mount

A gilt bronze figurine, probably originally some kind of furniture mount. The lower part consists of acanthus leaf decoration, and the upper part depicts a winged female figure, wearing a breastplate and helmet, and with the head of a lioness with her mouth open aggressively - suggesting that it is inspired by some kind of Goddess.

3734 – Clay Headless Goddess Figure

A stylised female figure (probably a Goddess) sitting with her legs under her and her hands on her legs. She is portrayed in a rounded form with exaggerated lower body, legs and arms, and small feet and hands. She has no head. Made from reddish clay or terracotta.

3872 – Glastonbury Goddess Figure

A black ceramic female figure, with gold details. The figure's arms, which are decorated with spiral forms, encircle an open womb, which holds a golden foetus. The figure is kneeling, and is depicted as wearing a spiral necklace, earrings and headdress, and has long loose hair flowing down her back.