Indian Iron Tantric Lingam

Wood-grain rings in chocolate and cream swirl around the body, like a sliced tree trunk.

This tantric lingam is from Narmada River, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is quartz crystal & iron. Brahmin villages along a short part of the river traditionally gathered lingams from shallow water in the dry season, then shaped and hand-polished them, sometimes for as long as a year. Rounded and tall, it stands on a black disc. The surface carries swirling concentric bands of dark brown, black and tan, shifting into banded layers at the lower right. The polish is soft and glowing. It is 13.5 inches high and 7.25 in diameter.

A walnut burl impression, by an artist who never touched wood.