Fertility Stones
INTRODUCTION
Fertility as a subject, is represented in the art of nearly all Ancient Cultures. Individuals hoping to have a large family. Populating the tribe was essential to their survival.
The Subject of the "Fertility Stone" recurs frequently in the WB collection. Exclusively, regardless of the animal, the male and female are in positions typical of quadrupeds breeding. However, not noted here, there are other types of Fertility Stones in the collection.
Except in the case of 152 and other similar examples, they appear to be a known verified species. In 152 the "Unknown Animal" is shown. The "Unknown Animal" is recurring, detailed and unmistaken, but not identified. He, as a Subject, is an anomaly. Being the only possible "mythological creature" noted in the collection, so far. He appears to be a human/animal hybrid. In most cases he is shown breeding. With elaborate head mask(?) and large ridge scales on his back. And sometimes, as in 152, appears to be breeding with an animal having the face of the recurring "Maiden". (ref 011)
Of the species that are represented so far in Fertility Stones, most are Bear, Bison, Large Cat and the "Unknown Animal".
Fertility examples have been found as single Subjects and are also included on "Multi Subject Stones".
Within the collection, the "Fertility Stones" are some of the most beautiful and simply artistic examples. The artists offer a wide range of interpretations. One might say "feelings". Some soft and subtle. Some harder and more aggressive.
Examples discussed are
002, 012, 047, 075 , 081, 117, 152, 197, 231.
Click on a photo to access a larger version with a short description.
002 Fertility Stone
002 is composed of high silica igneous rock conglomerate. The color is a variety of shades of red and yellow. It is approximately 7"x 7" 3". 002 is an example of a "Fertility Stone" showing what appears to be a "Male Unknown Animal breeding a Female Bison". Maybe it's not a Bison.
002 is one of the 9 key stones.
Looking at the Front view, notice, outlined in green, the "Female Bison". Her facial details were first things to be noticed. Also, outlined in violet, the recurring Male "Unknown Animal". Both in positions typical of other "Fertility Stones".
Looking at the Right view, although worn, notice the "Mother Large Cat with Cub". The "Mother Large Cat" is outlined in yellow. Notice Her "Cub", outlined in blue. Also, notice, although very worn, the technique used to "etch out" the "Mother Bear and Cub". Note, one ear, one eye obscured by her Cub.
Included are the Back and Left views.
012 Fertility Stone
012 is composed of fine grained, high silica igneous rock. It is pink in color. It is approximately 7" x 8" x 3". 012 is an example of a "Fertility Stone" apparently showing "Bears Breeding".
There seems to be at least two different Bear types in the collection. One appears to better represent a Black Bear. The other, a Grizzly Bear. Or even a Giant Grizzly. In the case of 012, it appears to be of the "Grizzly or Giant Grizzly" type.
Looking at the Front view, notice, outlined in blue, the Male Bear. Behind and below the Male, outlined in pink, is the Female. Both in positions typical of other "Fertility Stones".
In the collection, there are fewer "Fertility Stones" facing left, than those facing right.
Included are the Back, Left and Right views.
047 Fertility Stone
047 is composed of high silica igneous lava. It is violet in color. It is approximately 6" x 5" x 2". 047 is an example of Fertility Stone" apparently showing "Bears Breeding".
Looking at the Front view, notice the the profile of the Male Bear is outlined in red. Notice, outlined in green, the Female. Both in positions typical of other "Fertility Stones".
Looking at the Right view, although worn, notice the "Mother Cat with Cub". The "Mother Cat", outlined in yellow. One eye and one ear obscured by her Cub, outlined in violet.
Included are the Back and Left views.
075 Fertility Stone
075 is composed of high silica igneous rock. It is tan in color. It is approximately 3" x 3" x 3". 075 is a unique example of a "Fertility Stone" apparently showing Bears Breeding".
Looking at the Front view, although worn, notice, outlined in yellow, the Male Bear. Also, outlined in red, the Female Bear. Both in positions typical of other "Fertility Stones.
Note how the Male has the Female by the back of her neck. Although similar, it is not the same posture as the Subject "Bear on Bison". And in this case, as with other "Fertility Stones", the species appear to be the same.
075 is a good example of how these Ancient Figure Stones have weathered over the proposed thousands of years. Notice the soft edges and fine patina across the surfaces. Many of the deeper and protected details are still visible.
Included are the Back, Left and Right views and Detail 3.
081 Multi Subject Stone
081 is composed of high silica igneous rock. It's color is varying shaded of red and black. It is approximately 3" x 4" x 1". 081 is an example of a "Multi Subject Figure Stone".
Looking at the Front view, although worn, notice, outlined in violet, a "Female Bison". Despite being visibly worn, the details of the "Female Bison's" face are still visible, showing the classic Bison. Also, outlined in green, the "Male Bison". Or could he be the "Unknown Animal" shown in 002. Both are in positions similar to other "Fertility Stones".
Although very worn, notice, outlined in yellow, the face of a "Roaring Mother Bear or Cat". Notice her two "Cubs", outlined in pastel pink and blue.
Included are the Back, Top and Bottom views.
117 Fertility Stone
117 is composed of high silica igneous rock. It ranges in color from red to yellow and white. It is approximately 4" x 6" x 1". 117 is an example of a "Fertility Stone" apparently showing "Bears Breeding".
Looking at the front view, notice, outlined in blue, the "Male Bear". Notice, outlined in yellow, the "Female Bear". Both in positions typical of other "Fertility Stones".
Included are the Back, Back dwg, Top and Bottom views.
152 Multi Subject Stone
152 is composed of good quality, high silica igneous rock. It is yellow to tan in color with some grey. It is approximately 6" x 7" x 4". 152 is an example of a "Multi Subject Stone".
152 is extraordinary in that the "breeding animals" have not been identified.
Looking at the front view, notice, outlined in red, the Male "Unknown Animal". Notice, outlined in blue, a "Winged Female" who's facial features resemble a Native woman. Both in positions typical of other "Fertility Stones".
Look closely at the Male. He appears to have a series of ridges along the top of his back. At first, I thought they were wings. Recently discovered examples seem to indicate they may be "plates or scales". Looking at the rest of his body, including his "helmet", he could be considered as "armored". The very detailed facial features of the Male seems to combine those of man and animal. Look closely the shape of his helmet. These details are recurring, to some degree in the other examples of this 'Unknown Animal". At this time, he has been identified only in "Fertility Stones".
Looking at the Front view, notice, outlined in blue, the "Winged Female". The facial features resemble those of a Native woman. Not an animal. Similar to details found in 017. Could 017 be a "Female Shaman"?
Looking at the Left view, notice, outlined in blue the worn, but intense, "Roaring Mother Bear with Cubs". In this and several other examples, the tongue is exaggerated. Also, as in almost all cases, one eye and one ear are obscured by one of her Cubs.
Looking at the Top view, notice, outlined in green, the recurring "Lying Ram". Look closely at the detail that remains of the Ram's head.
Looking at the Bottom view, outlined in red, there appears to be the head of an "Unknown Animal". It's close, but not quite like any Bear in the collection.
Looking at the Back view you notice, outlined in green, what appears to be a "Shaman with a Bear Headdress", outlined in red. Note that the Shaman has his mouth, eye and ear open.
197 Shaman with Fertility Headdress
197 is composed of high silica igneous lava rock. It is shades of brown in color. It is approximately 7" x 6" x 2". 197 is an example of a "Shaman with Unknown Animal Breeding Headdress".
Looking at the Front view, notice, outlined in green, the profile of the recurring Male "Unknown Animal". Notice the "plates" along the ridge of his back and unusual Headdress. Similar to 152 and others. Notice the Female "Winged Bison" outlined in red. Also note, outlined in violet, the "Shaman" with elongated head.
Looking at Detail 1, notice the close-up of the face of the "Unknown Animal".
Detail 2 is a close-up of the breeding pair.
Detail 3 is a close up of the Female "Winged Bison".
It could be argued that, within in this context, Detail 4 is a "Bear on Mammoth". Although not obvious, the general shape makes it a possibility.
Included is the Back view.
231 Fertility Stone
231 is composed of high silica igneous rock. It's color is brown to tan. It is approximately 3" x 5" w 1". 231 is an example of a "Fertility Stone" showing what appears to be "Bison Breeding".
Looking at the Front view, although very worn, notice, outlined in blue, a "Male Bison". Also, the "Female Bison", outlined in red. Both are in positions similar to other "Fertility Stones".
Included are Detail 4 and the Back, Top and Bottom views.
