The Vénus de Quinipily or The Iron Lady[1] is an ancient statue of uncertain origins 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) southeast of Baud, Morbihan, Brittany, north-western France.
The statue is approximately 2 metres (6.6 ft) in height and carved from granite. It was evidently remodelled, possibly around 1701, to repesent a less pagan and probably a less sexual appearance. It now stands on a high plinth above a building resembling a mauseleum.
The statue was previously used for pagan worship at a nearby hamlet.[1] Offerings were given to the naked icon to improve fertility and couples would have sexual relations in front of the statue in order to bless their union with children.
The Christian authorities in Brittany in the seventeenth century did not approve and sought to destroy the statue by throwing it into the River Blavet in 1661 and 1690. On each occasion the Bretons retrieved the statue and continued to venerate the Lady. In 1701 it was "clothed" and substantially altered and placed in its present position at Quinipily where a garden has been created to showpiece the ancient monument.
The appearance of the Vénus de Quinipily has led to specualtion that it is Roman or even Egyptian in origin, but this is probably false. She remains a mystery.[1]