Indian Mukha or Face Lingam / Cover Depicting Gauri

A calm face, made to sit over one of the most sacred forms in Hinduism.

This mukha or face lingam, a cover depicting Gauri, comes from India and dates to the 17th century. It is made of brass. In Shaiva worship a metal cover could be placed over the stone lingam, giving a face to an otherwise abstract form, and Gauri is a gentle aspect of the goddess Parvati. Wide open eyes and a small, closed smile sit beneath a tall fluted crown. Large disc earrings stand out on either side, and a beaded collar leads into a smooth rounded bust. It stands 9 inches high.

It was made to be looked at, and to look back.