Emblem of the God Shiva with One Face (Ekamukhalinga)
c. 6th century
Medium
Sandstone
Dimensions
49.3 × 15.6 × 17.5 cm (19 3/8 × 6 1/8 × 6 7/8 in.)
Classification
sandstone
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
151090
Art Historical Context
Behold the *Emblem of the God with One Face (Ekukhalinga)*, a profound sandstone sculpture from circa the 6th century, standing at 49.3 × 15.6 × 17.5 cm. Crafted by an unknown artist during a golden age of Indian artistry, this compact yet powerful linga—Shiva's iconic aniconic symbol—features a single carved face emerging from its rounded form, embodying the deity's transcendent presence. In the context of early medieval India, particularly the post-Gupta era, such emblems were central to Shaivite devotion, representing Shiva's cosmic energies of creation, preservation, and destruction. Sand...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...