Firstly
I should point out that this figure is considered to be fake. Keith Jones
visited the figure in 2003 but was not allowed to take any photographs of the
figure. He did however make a drawing which is displayed below
This carving is found in the 'Brook's Collection'. Of the Devizes Museum, and is not kept on display. It is claimed that this 'bogus rock chalk Sheela' was either sold to, or made for Joshua Brook, around 1905. He was shown to be a rather unscrupulous, in his collection and as such the figure has been tagged as a fake.
The following is taken from J. A. Jerman's account 'Simulation or Dissimulation? A figure from the Brook Collection', The Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol 76 for 1981, p. 171 - 173
'It is claimed the figure came from an uninhabited part of East Wiltshire, Hackpen Hill, near the village of Wroughton, just south of Swindon. The figure measures 117 mm wide, 116 mm high and 21mm thick. It is roughly circular and carved from rock chalk. The figure has heavy chest and shoulders, looks well nourished with a round face, strong arms where the hands rest on both thighs. The legs are widely splayed but the right leg, and left foot are missing. Although the torso is smooth, there is a deep scratch from just above the pubis running to the right part of the chest. This is thought to represent a phallus, but it looks more like a scratch to this observer. The pubic triangle is smooth and delicately carved, with deep groves and a central groove, which represents the slit of the vulva. The face sits on the heavy shoulder with no neck. The figure has a good head of hair but the top right part is missing. The eyes are closed with a broad but short nose delicate lips, and chin. It is claimed there are traces of dark red paint on parts of the upper part of the piece.'
Back to the sheela index