Indian Mukha or Face Lingam / Cover

A face with its eyes half shut, thinking about the divine.

This mukha, or face lingam cover, was made in brass in Karnataka, South India, in the 18th century. Such faces are commonly placed over a Shiva lingam to give the symbol a human visage. The head has wide, almond eyes, a raised mark between the brows and ridged, comb-like hair. Large ears flank the face, and the neck flares to a base ring. The brass is a warm, worn gold, scuffed across the cheeks.

About 4 inches tall. A tiny face with a very long attention span.