A sandstone Mukhalingam, pre-Angkor period, 7th century, Cambodia

In Khmer Hinduism, Shiva was worshipped above all other deities. He was seldom portrayed in human form by the Khmer until the 9th century (other than as Harihara - the half Vishnu and half Shiva deity). The god and his divine energy were represented instead by a phallus or 'linga'.

This polished sandstone symbol of creative power and fertility has a sculpted face representing Shiva and is, therefore, known as a 'mukhalingam'. Although carved from one piece of stone - it is sculpted into three sections: a square base, an octagonal mid-section, and a rounded top. Shiva's shoulders rise from the top of the mid-section, and his face from the rounded head of the phallus. The face is carved in relief and the top of Shiva's head joined to a central line (also carved in relief) that divides the front of the top section; this is known as a 'brahmasutra'. The mukhalingam was prevalent in the pre-Angkor period - whereas later Khmer lingams were sculpted without faces and with cylindrical tops.

Height: 26”

Similar examples: 'Asian Art at the Norton Simon Museum' Volume 3: Art from Sri Lanka & Southeast Asia, by Pratapaditya Pal - page 167.

'Angkor et dix siecles d'art khmer' - exhibition catalogue: Galeries nationales du Grand Palais, Paris & National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1997 - page 176/177.