Vintage Mukhalingam | Shiva Linga Cover | Maharashtra

This ornate vintage Mukhalingam from Maharashtra is carved or cast as a single-piece representation of Shiva, traditionally used as a cover for a stone linga during temple or priestly worship. The Mukhalingam would be placed over the linga and removed during the ritual worship of the stone beneath it.

The face is richly detailed, with a clearly defined third eye, a prominent swirling moustache and neatly arranged jata framed by a crown or headband decorated with rows of jewel-like patterns. A necklace and earrings complete the representation, giving the figure a distinctly anthropomorphic expression of Shiva.

Despite some roughness in the casting, the piece retains considerable detail and character. Its compact form, traditional Shaivite iconography and association with linga worship make it an interesting example of Indian devotional metalwork and ritual sculpture from Maharashtra.

Today, this vintage Mukhalingam offers collectors of Indian religious art, Shiva iconography, Shaivite objects and traditional Indian metalwork an opportunity to own an object connected to an important form of Hindu ritual practice.

Details

Object: Vintage Mukhalingam / Mukhalinga
Deity: Shiva
Origin: Maharashtra, India
Material: Brass
Form: Single-piece Shiva face used as a linga cover
Iconography: Third eye, jata, crown or headband, moustache, necklace and earrings
Traditional Use: Covering a stone linga during worship
Dimensions: H4 × L3 × D3 in
Condition: Vintage condition(est 19th century) with natural age-related characteristics and some roughness in casting
Tradition: Shaivite devotional and ritual art
Authenticity: Comes with an authenticity certificate from The Blue Trunk.