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A Bronze Mukhalinga
Karnataka, India
18th-19th century
Height: 12 cm
This delicate and refined mukhalinga is cast with a
contemplative face and elaborate earrings. The head
has a spherical compactness emphasised by the
unusual absence of a helmet, crown or hair ornaments.
It has a lovely, warm patina. Three curved lines on the
forehead are in keeping with Shaivite iconography:
usually such lines are drawn by sadhus, the ascetics of
the Shaivite sect, with the ashes from sacred fire. The
lines represent control over the three worlds: the world
below, the earth itself, and the celestial regions.
References: A mukhalinga showing similar facial form
is shown in Aryan, S., Unknown Masterpieces of Indian
Folk and Tribal Art, KC Aryan’s Home of Folk Art, 2005,
p. 55. Other examples are shown in Freschi, R.,
‘Mukhalinga: The countenance of the hero god’, Arts of
Asia, January-February, 1987.
Inventory no.: 121
This Item is available - Ask about this item
A Bronze Mukhalinga
Karnataka, India
18th-19th century
Height: 12 cm
This delicate and refined mukhalinga is cast with a
contemplative face and elaborate earrings. The head
has a spherical compactness emphasised by the
unusual absence of a helmet, crown or hair ornaments.
It has a lovely, warm patina. Three curved lines on the
forehead are in keeping with Shaivite iconography:
usually such lines are drawn by sadhus, the ascetics of
the Shaivite sect, with the ashes from sacred fire. The
lines represent control over the three worlds: the world
below, the earth itself, and the celestial regions.
References: A mukhalinga showing similar facial form
is shown in Aryan, S., Unknown Masterpieces of Indian
Folk and Tribal Art, KC Aryan’s Home of Folk Art, 2005,
p. 55. Other examples are shown in Freschi, R.,
‘Mukhalinga: The countenance of the hero god’, Arts of
Asia, January-February, 1987.
Inventory no.: 121
This Item is available - Ask about this item
(Front & Side Views)