french pronunciation english iron lady ancient statue uncertain origins located southeast brittany north western france approximately metres height carved granite statue represents naked woman stands fountain high granite pedestal large basin beneath statue carved single granite block believed statue greek roman egyptian origin similar uncertainty subject celtic deity roman mother goddess egyptian isis statue originally erected site roman camp les department brittany centre rites brittany centuries object pagan request statue thrown river twice recovered times lord statue substantially altered placed present position garden created ancient monument statue classified monument national heritage site france august heritage protection applicable november base database architectural heritage maintained history origin origins uncertain believed sculpted originally erected site roman camp les department brittany northwestern france origins statue proposed including greek roman egyptian celtic deity roman mother goddess egyptian isis statue proposed statue survive restoration lord secretly replaced new according french archaeologist statue built soldiers roman army names seventeenth century statue pregnant women names language old woman good woman color stone carved inspired statue called old guardian said statue stood roman guard house called old woman witch inscriptions pedestal called venus inscriptions claim romans conquered dedicated according statue meant represent venus related rites statue object rites brittany centuries believed sick people cured touching statue childless people pay visit statue hope producing offspring said seventeenth century foul rites practiced statue couples performed erotic acts near statue statue credited help approached dignity avenge neglected treat honour rituals performed statue pregnant women involved walking round times reciting touching abdomen women carry band touched statue tied waist half band tied statue remaining half kept woman body child born basin statue women rites performed honour statue said similar performed worship venus demolition restoration statue object pagan missionaries asked lord destroy statue ordered statue thrown river abundant rain destroyed harvest soon interpreted act anger insulted idol statue drawn river restored original location approached requested break statue pieces ordered fear peasants mutilated breasts arm threw statue river soon fell horse died considered judgement heaven having destroy idol statue remained river years decided root diocese asked son destroy statue antiquarian pulled statue river destroy events associated demolition restoration local cause modification ownership transported statue said took drag statue large granite basin soldiers posted route came blows peasants furious loss idol residents protested abduction statue help duke sued regain possession court confirmed ownership virtue saving river supposedly damaged statue restoration secretly replaced new pedestal design seven foot tall venus statue represents naked woman standing huge dilapidated fountain foot high granite pedestal arms wrapped belly lower body consists straight legs placed slightly apart breasts damaged hair straight statue wears bands ornamentation band tied head neck ends hanging body reaching broad cover area statue wears large letters engraved letters engraved statue originally read greek goddess speculated letters carved later young roman officers carving initials forehead fingers toes venus represented lines facial expression distinct similarities egyptian idols large beneath statue carved single granite block filled water believed nature worship paid statue placed statue pedestal latin inscriptions believed design oriental influences design statue classified monument national heritage site france august identification number heritage protection applicable november base database architectural heritage maintained reference
Vénus de Quinipily