Indian Iron Tantric Lingam

A heart-shaped pale field sits within a dark green-brown frame.

This tantric lingam is from Narmada River, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is quartz crystal & iron. The word Tantric is Sanskrit for to expand, and Tantra is described as a form of religious practice combining ritual, art, science and philosophy, overlaid on Hinduism and Buddhism. Seen as a heavy oval with a satiny finish. A lighter beige shape with a pointed lower edge fills the upper body, ringed by bands of olive and chestnut that dip into a V. It is 10 inches high and 6.25 in diameter.

Even its patterns are quietly sentimental.