Mukhalingam

The Mukhalinga (one faced lingam cover) represents the face of the Hindu god, Shiva. The mukhalinga/m is used to cover a stone linga (phallus), which is the symbol of the God Shiva.

This Mukhalingam cover, comprised of one piece would have been placed over a stone linga and removed for priestly worship of the stone. The casting has remarkable details: the well defined tripunda and third eye; the jata neatly pulled back and held in place by a type of crown or headband decorated with rows of jewel-like markings and a moving swirl motif; double necklaces; and a gloriously defined moustache. There are piercings in the ears in which earrings were likely to have been placed. This is a rare vintage Mukhalinga with an exquisite patina. The bottom part of the Mukhalinga has remarkable remains of age due perhaps to a very long period of partial burial in mortar around the main Linga.