Shivalinga

Description

This heavily-ornate Shivalinga is an incredible specimen of luxurious craftsmanship for ritual objects. One finds extensive use of gold and precious gemstones of red, green and purple- both embedded and inlaid. Extensive embedding is seen on the base exterior- with layered bands on a gold base. The yoni is also incredibly ornate, with a band of red gemstones embedded in gold running along the boundary, and the interior with red gemstones inlaid. The linga itself is made of gold, with a circular boundary of raised gold around it, indicating the snake's body. The hood of the snake, jewelled in red and green gems, also forms a canopy above the linga. This richness adds to the iconographic value of the Shivalinga as well.