Indian Iron Tantric Lingam

One stroke of red across gray-green. Nobody painted it.

This tantric lingam comes from the Narmada River, India. It is quartz crystal with iron oxide inclusions, of indeterminate age. The Narmada is among the holiest rivers in India, and the smooth ovoid stones gathered from its bed are venerated in Hindu worship as uncarved forms of Shiva. Fine pale specks scatter across the gray-green surface. Near the top, a ragged red band runs sideways around a yellow center line. Eight inches high and five in diameter.

The river keeps making them, and has not been hurried.