Where's the Sussex Sheela?

Southern England 8

Image by formicaant

Pete G Nov 21, 2004 12:46:19

According to BritArch It is reported that the carving in Buncton Chapel has been illegally removed.
Anyone nearby that can confirm this?
PeteG

FourWinds Nov 21, 2004 13:29:09

Replying to Pete G

This figure is (was?) in All Saints Chapel (12th C) at Buncton-with-Wiston, halfway between Steyning and Storrington on the north side of the A283.

A sign in the church says it depicts the mason ...

FourWinds Nov 21, 2004 22:50:41

Replying to Pete G

The removal of the sheela was discovered during the week. From the scars left it is not certain if the figure was removed or destroyed. Its removal certainly doesn't sound as if it was sympathetic or well planned: it sounds as if it's been smashed off or at 'best' chiselled off in a hurry.

Pete G Nov 27, 2004 21:25:19

Replying to Pete G

Latest news from Britarch -
The situation is that the Figure was attacked with a hammer and chisel on either 10th or 11th of November 2004. No one realised that this had occurred until 17th November.

This is a clear case of vandalism, leaving nothing of the figure and associated carvings on the stone.

anne Nov 28, 2004 19:41:34

Replying to Pete G

Regretfully someone has removed this with a hammer and chisel leaving it in a thousand pieces. This occurred w/c 9/11/04, committed by a left handed mindless person. It has probably been insitu since the early 1100s, a truly wicked act, we are all devastated by this. Has anyone heard of any similar acts???

konaman Dec 20, 2004 08:25:12

Replying to Pete G

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/12/20/npagan20.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/12/20/ixhome.html

some nutter loose in Sussex....