Orkney Venus , Westray Wifie
- In stock, ready to ship
- Inventory on the way
Details
When she was discovered in the summer of 2009, this charming little figure was considered the earliest representation of a human being found in Scotland. Excavated at the Links of Noltland, Orkney, the Westray Wifie raised many questions about her use and significance to the people of the time.
For around 5000 years, she lay hidden in the decaying rubble of a Neolithic farmhouse, which had once stood, surrounded by impressive boundary walls, in the middle of a productive network of fields. Later it appears that the structures use changed, and it may have served as a storehouse or animal pen. The house walls began to collapse at some point, and the Stone Age people living and working the land put the site to use as a midden. It was amongst this midden debris and rubble that archaeologists found the precious little figure of the Orkney Venus.
Her location amongst the midden material suggests she was placed there after the farmhouse fell into disuse as a dwelling, possibly as an offering.
Several theories have arisen about her original function, including use as a pendant with the cord wrapped into the groove of her neck. Made with decoration on front and back, it seems her maker intended her to be viewed from all angles. Perhaps as a toy or a deity. However, there is little evidence of wear from being handled or of a cord having been tied onto her, suggesting she found her resting place shortly after being created.
The original of this enchanting little figure was hand-carved out of sandstone, so we use sandy clay when crafting each of our figures to best emulate the authentic texture of the piece.
Materials
Smoke fired Terracotta
Dimensions
Approx 45 mm tall 30 mm wide 15 mm depth.
Variations
When choosing a colour variation, please be aware that the colour and mottling vary with each Venus, giving each one an individual character due to the firing process. But we will select your Venus according to your preference.
Production
This goddess has been handmade in a small pottery workshop in Northumberland.
Postage
All items are sent using a second class postal service; if you wish to have an item sent first class, please contact me for a quote. Many Thanks
SHIPPING
'Add To Cart' items are ready to send straight away. Please be aware that if bought alongside 'Pre-order' items, your order will be sent when all items are ready.
'Pre-order' items are made to order, and we will dispatch them as soon as we have handcrafted them for you; this usually takes 90 days, but international orders can take a little longer.
We ship our fabulous replicas worldwide.
Shipping costs are worked out during checkout. They are based on where you are in the world and how heavy your parcel is, which can be very variable.
All items are sent using a second-class postal service. If you wish to have an item sent first class, please contact us for a quote. Many Thanks
RETURNS
If you aren't completely satisfied with your Potted History piece, please get in touch to organise a return. Email us at
clare@rothburycreates.co.uk
Then you can send it back at your own cost in an unused condition within 30 days, and we'll refund you for the cost of the item or items returned. If you include your order number with the returned package, that will speed things up. Please leave any original packaging intact.
Our returns address is:
Potted History, Gregory Court, Rothbury, Northumberland, NE65 7SW
PRODUCT VARIATION
Please be aware that due to items being handmade and finished, colour variations will occur during the making process, and each replica will have some differences. Also, know that the item photographed may not be the one that you receive, and colours can appear differently on different screens. Please ensure you look at all the images to get a fully formed idea of the item you are ordering as we try to capture the variations within the images we share. If you prefer a specific colour variation, please contact us before ordering.
