Indian Iron Tantric Lingam

A red cap sits on top of the stone like a lid on a jar of cream.

This tantric lingam comes from India. It is quartz crystal and iron. The lingam is one of the most important emblems of Shiva, and naturally smoothed stones of this shape are traditionally gathered from riverbeds. This one is a tall, slender oval. A broad band of brick red crosses near the top. Below, the stone is pale cream and grey with a streak of ochre down one side. On another face, it turns smoky grey with a thin red vein and a small red patch. It is 10 inches high and 6 in diameter.

The river did all the work and asked for no credit.