NORTH INDIA OR NEPAL, 19TH CENTURY

The linga and yoni are ancient symbolism in Hinduism, rich in spiritual and cosmic significance. The linga, representing Shiva, is a short, cylindrical, pillar-like structure, while the yoni, symbolising Shakti, is the disc-shaped pindika (or pedestal) that supports the linga. The linga is regarded as an outward symbol and a formless reality, while the yoni is conceptualised as nature’s gateway of all births and incubation. Together, the linga-yoni iconography represents the merging of the microcosm and macrocosm, the divine eternal process of creation and regeneration and the union of the feminine and the masculine that re-creates all existence.
The present lot depicts linga and yoni in a dark blue shade against a lime-green backdrop, with the stand decorated with light grey geometric patterns. Three snakes encircle the linga-yoni, further emphasising the themes of destruction, rebirth and unity of cosmic powers. The linga bears a symbol consisting of three streaks and a dot. The three lines form the tripundra, representing Shiva’s threefold power of action (kriyāśakti), will (icchāśakti) and knowledge (jñānaśakti). They can also be allegorical of streaks of the three Vedic fires, the three audible syllables of “Aum,” the three Gunas and the three types of atman. The red dot in the centre of the tripundra represents Shakti, reinforcing the balance and interdependence of divine energies.