Title
Ornament from a cover of a linga
Year/Period
8th or 9th century
Region
Probably from south Vietnam
Dimension
Object size: 001: H15.5 x W8.0 cm,
Object size: 002: L5.0 x W3.2 cm,
Object size: 003: L3.5 x W2.6 cm
Object size: 002: L5.0 x W3.2 cm,
Object size: 003: L3.5 x W2.6 cm
Accession No.
2000-05587
Collection of
This head of Shiva once adorned the cover of a linga. The third eye on the forehead, continuous pronounced eyebrow, tall top-knot, long earlobes, and jewellery are typical of depictions of the god made in the Cham culture of Vietnam. Lingas are a symbol for the creative energy of Shiva. Rivets at the base of the neck would have secured this face to a large cover (kosha) that fitted onto the top of a carved stone linga.
