Sheela-na-gig
Artist Unknown
A 15th-century sheela-na-gig stone carving from Caherelly Castle, Co. Limerick, Ireland. The carving shows a naked woman with a large vulva. It may have been used to protect buildings from evil or bad luck. This one was found by workmen in Limerick and is missing its head and feet.
Date
15th century AD
Materials
Stone
Limestone
Size (cm)
H 48 x W 33
Location
Top Floor
Collection
Hunt Museum Collection
Interpretive Video
Transcript
Would you believe it if I told you that a few centuries ago, the scariest thing someone could put on their wall was a woman? A sheela na gig is a figurative carving of a naked woman displaying an e...
Elizabeth Sheridan as St Cecilia