NAVIGATION

An Impressive Ancient British Celtic Red Sandstone Bust of a Female Deity Wearing a Beaded Torc and Head Band with Long Wavy Hair, Oval Eyes and Small Slit Mouth
The stone with fossilised shell fragments
1st Century B.C - 1st Century A.D

Size: 36cm high, 20cm wide, 13cm deep - 14¼ ins high, 8 ins wide, 5 ins deep / 38cm high - 15 ins high (with base)  
 

The name of the goddess changed according to the different regions and local Celtic traditions, but she was essentially always concerned with the fertility of the land, the crops, animals and the welfare of the community. She also took an active part in battle against tribal enemies using her supernatural powers rather than weapons to bring about victory. Brigantia ‘the High One’ was regarded as one such powerful warrior goddess and gave her name to the territory of Roman Britain equivalent to the present day six northern counties of England and to the confederation of tribes, the Brigantes who occupied the area.
     Springs, wells and rivers are of enduring importance as a focal point of Celtic cult practice and ritual. Rivers are important in themselves being associated in Celtic tradition with fertility and thus with the deities concerned with this fundamental aspect of life. The veneration of the sacred source of the river, the spring from which it rises, was often the site of shrines and temples where Celtic goddess figures were associated with the life giving powers of water. Offerings would made to these patron deities and British rivers often have Celtic goddess names: the River Severn gets its name from the Celtic goddess ‘Sabrina’.
 

Ex Private UK collection acquired London Art Market early 1980’s