Karnataka (South India)
brass
A finely detailed Mukhavata boasts an attractive shape, colour, and patina. The moustachioed Shiva is adorned with extensive jewellery, including a headband topped by a serpent (naga), and his curled and matted hair splays out from either side of his ears. Shiva’s third eye is prominently visible on his forehead.
Mukhavata or facial masks are two-dimensional metal castings of the crowned or turbaned heads of various deities, mostly manifestations of Shiva and Parvati. Included in this group are Khandoba, Mallanna, Gauri and their regional variants who are worshipped under different names.
Shiva is one of the three principal deities of Hinduism. He is labelled the ‘destroyer’ with the Trimurti, Hinduism’s trinity which includes Brahma and Vishnu. While sometimes depicted iconically, he is usually worshipped in the aniconic from of a lingam. The lingam is shaped like a pillar with a round top and can be made of stone, wood or metal. Mukha-linga signifies a visage or face on a metallic, cylindrical casting used to cover a stone lingam. The cover is thought to protect the viewer from the harm that could occur on visualization of the linga, especially one with eyes painted on its surface, which is believed to energize the figure. The metallic visage iconically depicts Shiva, wearing his characteristic moustache, earrings and matted hair.
Size (cms): 21.5(H) x 16.5(W) x 9.5(D)
Size (inches): 8.5(H) x 6.5(W) x 3.5(D)
