Bronze Shiva Mukhalinga From Karnataka - Ca 1950

This old bronze head of Shiva is a mukhalinga, literally translating to 'lingam with a face'. This one dates to the 1950's. Lingams are phallic eggs and the non-representational form of Shiva, one of the three most prominent gods of Hinduism. Shiva is The Destroyer who demolishes in order for the world to be created anew. Originally mukhalingas were carved stone lingam, however in the 18^th century, they came to be covers for lingam stones, believed to preserve the sacred vibrations and shield them when not in use. 

This mukhalinga is a more common style and form found in Karnataka, South India with Shiva sporting a necklace bearing a central lingam. There is a rich patina of tika from years of daily use which we have preserved.

It has been cast using the lost wax technique, also known as cire perdue. The figure is sculpted from beeswax in this process and then coated with clay to make the mould. Once dried and fired, molten bronze is poured into the clay mould. Once cooled, the clay is broken away, exposing the final figure where finer details are then carved into the bronze.

From India

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