Shiva Lingam in Spatika with Filigree

Shiva lingam with crystal, yoni, and trident. It is worked in filigree, silver- and gold-plated, set with colored stones. Known in Sanskrit as Shivling, the object is a central symbol in Hindu worship, representing creative force, renewal, and the unity of form and energy. The combination of lingam and yoni refers to the interaction of the male and female principle.

The lingam of rock crystal, spatika, is set within a yoni. At its side, a trident, trishula, is inserted into a small loop, while a serpent arches over the lingam from behind.

The yoni is worked in filigree. Fine wires are bent into spiral forms, filled with small arched elements, and joined into an ornamental pattern. Colored stones accentuate the filigree.

The Shivling follows the iconographic conventions of Vajrayana art in the Kathmandu Valley, in which form, symbolic meaning, and ornament are brought together into a balanced composition.

Shiva Lingam

Crystal, copper, decorated with fine filigree, silver-plated, set with colored stones. The object is patinated. Handcrafted in Nepal.

• Height: 7" / 18 cm
• Width: 4" / 11.5 cm
• Depth: 6" / 15 cm
• Weight: 688 g