A red standstone Shivalinga

INDIA, MATHURA REGION, GUPTA PERIOD, 4TH/5TH CENTURY

Details

A red standstone Shivalinga
India, Mathura Region, Gupta period, 4th/5th century
Carved in deep relief, Shiva's face depicted with rounded cheeks, full lips and large eyes centered by a third eye, his hair arranged in matted strands and wearing a double-stranded beaded necklace
4½ in. (11.5 cm.)

Provenance

The James and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection, Chicago, acquired before 1996

Exhibited

On loan to Art Institute of Chicago since 1996

Lot Essay

Ekamukhalinga ('One linga') is the phallic sign of Shiva with the face of the ascetic god carved on its side. In Indian philosophy it is furthermore the symbol of a cosmic pillar that connects heaven and earth. The carving on this example and lot 11 exemplifies the serene yet sensuous style of the Gupta period.

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