Vintage Brass Khandoba Mukhakriti

This fine collectible is a vintage mask of Lord Shiva from Maharashtra. He is adorned with a traditional headgear, large eyes and along moustache that twirls slightly at the ends. He is shown wearing a neck ornament and has holes in the earlobes to enable ornamentation. The piece is in great condition and makes a fine collectible.

History and use of Mukhalingams :

A Mukhalingam is a Shiva Lingam with a sculpted face ("mukha") of Lord Shiva, blending the abstract and anthropomorphic representations of the deity. Used in temples since the early medieval period, particularly in South India, Odisha, and Maharashtra, mukhalingams symbolize Shiva’s cosmic energy while making his presence more tangible for worshippers. Some feature multiple faces, representing different aspects of Shiva, such as creation, preservation, destruction, and supreme consciousness. Typically made of stone or metal, they are central to temple rituals, where they are bathed and adorned during worship. Mukhalingams reflect the evolution of Shaivite iconography, combining spiritual symbolism with artistic craftsmanship.