Leigh - TN042-055004 - Sheela-na-Gig

sketchfab

This carving is located on a Romanesque sandstone doorway of the W end of the N wall on a multi-phase medieval church nave. There are a number of reused Romanesque stones within this doorway and the chancel arch which likely formed an ornate doorway of an earlier church (or round tower). Given the location of this carving on a Romanesque we can infer that it an early carving of the exhibitionist tradition in Ireland, with other exhibitionists appearing at Rattoo, Timahoe, and Clonmacnoise, and Cavan. A horizontal sheela-na-gig consisting of a stylised figure with a triangular head and round eyes, sagging breasts and arms pulling vulva apart. Based on the lack of carving on the ends of the stone, the model has been turned so the carving is upright which is the proposed original position. See www.sketchfab.com/Tipperary3d for more examples of carving from this site.