The Lower Swell Sheela Na Gig and exhibitionist male


 

The church of St Mary's at Lower Swell in the Cotswolds holds a fine norman archway which holds a crude Sheela Na Gig and and a possible exhibitionist male. 

The figure is to be found on the left side of the  inside the church as part of a richly carved b arch. There are many other carving including a a hare and what appears to be a man battling with snakes. In addtion to the sheela on the arch there also appears to be an exhibitionist male figure on a pillar on the left of the arch (below). The figure does not have clearly defined genitals but there does seem to be some suggestion of something there as you can see below. 

 

The male figure also seems to haveinscribed ribs a feature normall though not exclusively ascribed to sheelas. The pillar opposite the male figure shows some sign of defacing or is unfinished so there is a possibility that another figure originally faced the male figure. (See right).

The church itself is quite small but boasts some rich carving. There are corbel heads on the outside of the church which are very reminiscent of Kilpeck

 

n.b. The above photographs haev been digitally enhanced to bring out the detail of the carving. The actual color of the stonework is a light creamy white.

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