Vintage Mukhalingam

This is a large sized vintage Mukhalingam from Karnataka, used historically as a covering for a stone linga during worship. The piece is notable for its detailed craftsmanship, including a prominent third eye, stylized jata secured by a crown with classical motifs and a carefully rendered swirling moustache. A delicate necklace also decorates the figure. The back of the Mukhalingam has a hole, as seen in the second image, which was likely used to attach a Naga that originally covered the top.