Shiva Linga
Unknown Artist
7th–8th century
Medium
Sandstone
Dimensions
H. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm); W. 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm); D. 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture
Southern Thailand
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Steven Kossak, The Kronos Collections, 1992
Accession Number
1992.150.3
Art Historical Context
This exquisite sandstone Shiva Linga, carved by an unknown artist in southern Thailand during the 7–8th century, as a profound emblem of Hindu devotion. Measuring just 12½ inches tall, its compact form—6½ inches wide and 6 deep—suggests it was likely a votive object or temple shrine piece, ideal for personal worship or ritual processions. Crafted from durable sandstone, a favored medium in Southeast Asian sculpture for its workability and weather resistance, the linga embodies the aniconic representation of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and regeneration, symbolizing cosmic energy and cre...