KHMER. Head of a lingam, 11th to 12th century. Sculpture on gray sandstone, 16 x 15 x 24 cm. The linga (or lingam) is a phallic idol representing the god Shiva. In Khmer times, the lingam was composed of three parts: the top, with a circular cross-section, representing a stylized acorn, surmounted a trunk with an octagonal cross-section representing Vishnu, the god of stability, itself planted on a cubic base personifying Brahma, the creator. The whole, was installed in the open air, on a hollowed out stone symbolizing the female yoni, provided with a spout, in order to collect the rainwater. Thanks to the way they flow over the stone, these waters were reputed to have sacred powers. Some Khmer kings were identified with Shiva, and a lingam was placed at the top of their temples. This piece, placed on a wooden base, is the upper part of the lingam.
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