Indian Iron Tantric Lingam

Sandy gray with a molten red-brown flame climbing one side and a golden strip on the other.

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. Overall it is a tall polished oval in pale gray-beige. A bold patch of brick red rises from the lower left, edged by a broad golden-yellow band on the right side. Small rust flecks appear near the top, and the surface has a soft shine. It is 11.5 inches high and 6 in diameter.

Sunset colors, applied with a very steady hand.