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Freitag, Barbara,

Sheela-na-gigs : unravelling an enigma / Barbara Freitag. - London ; New York : Routledge, 2004. - 1 online resource (viii, 205 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates) : illustrations, maps

Here Barbara Freitag examines all the literature on the subject since their discovery 160 years ago, highlighting the inconsistencies of the various interpretations in regard to origin, function and name. By considering the Sheela-na-gigs in their medieval social context, she suggests that they were folk deities with particular responsibility for assistance in childbirth. This fascinating survey sheds new light on a controversial phenomenon, and also contains a complete catalogue of all known Sheela-na-gigs, including hitherto unrecorded or unpublished figures.

ISBN: 0203567064 9780203567067 9780415345521 0415345529 9780415345538 0415345537 9781134282487 1134282486 9781134282494 1134282494 9781134282449 1134282443

Subjects--Topical Terms:
Sheela-na-gigs--Ireland.
Sheela-na-gigs--Great Britain.
Sculpture, Medieval--Ireland.
Sculpture, Medieval--Great Britain.
Sculpture, Irish.
Sculpture, British.
ART--Sculpture & Installation.
SOCIAL SCIENCE / General
SOCIAL SCIENCE / Archaeology

LC Class. No.: GR153.5 / .F74 2004eb

Dewey Class. No.: 731.8/7/0941/0902