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Armlet
Female burial, Reinheim, Germany
mid 4th c. BCE
diameter 8.1 cm
Museum für Vor-und Frühgeschichte, Saarbrücken |
This
armlet is one of many valuable objects included in the grave of an elite female.
At the time of its interrment it was fifty years old and already considered a
relic by its owner. Incorporated into the decoration of the armlet is a
female figure. The breasts and genitalia of the female are clearly depicted.
The representation and emphasis on the female genitalia, as well as other secondary
sexual characteristics, can be seen to stress female fecundity. The pose
of the figure resembles the sheela-na-gig, a figure prominent in later medieval
Irish sculpture. It has often been suggested that the later medieval sheela-na-gig
was the reincarnation of a pre Christian fertility goddess. It is tempting
to suggest that this armlet depicts one of those early goddess figures.
The legs of the female figure
are transformed into decorative spirals and disappear into the abstract decoration
on the ground of the arm-ring. These abstract elements include registers
of cross-hatching, chevron patterns, and raised dots. They terminate in
a large V-shape that echoes vegetal motifs used in art and nature. If one looks
carefully at the side of the armlet, on can see that the female figure appears
to have two sets of wings. Closer inspection reveals that the upper set
belongs to a small bird, who is perched atop the head of the woman. This
bird has been described as a bird of prey and ties this figure to a particular
mythological episode. (Green, 73)
Bibliography
- M. Green, (1997), 69,
73.
- T.G.E. Powell, (1958),
32-33
- J. Moreau, pl.40-41 and
colorplate III
- R. Joffroy, (1964),
- F.J. Keller, (1965),
nos. 1, 2, 158 and plates 5:4-6.
- J.V.S. Megaw, (1965-1966)
100, 128 ff, p. 237-238
- J.V.S. Megaw, (1970)
# 79-83.
- W. Torbrügge,(1968),
208-209