Silver Lingayat Box

Stupa-Form Silver Lingam Casket (Ayigala) with Chain

Andhra Pradesh, India

19th century

height of box: 10.6cm. length of box: 12.9cm: height of silver necklace: 41cm, total weight: 283g

This stupa-form lingam casket (ayigala) is the best example we have seen or, to our knowledge, to have been published, in that it is ornate, complete, and it has its original thickly-plaited, heavy silver wire chain. The chain pulls through the eyelets on both sides of the box to form a complete necklace.

The box itself is wonderfully decorated with applied bands of incised silver, architectural finials, and pearled edges. The decoration is applied to both the front and the back.

The entire top surface comprises the lid and this lifts out of the box to reveal the chamber inside.

The box also has obvious age – it has been worn and used for the purpose for which it was make. Consequently, it has an excellent patina and with contours softened by wear and use.

It would have been worn by a wealthier lay member of the Lingayat sect. (Poorer adherents wore wooden lingam boxes.) It has been fashioned in two parts that are held together when the box is suspended from the necklace.

This box once carried a jangama lingam. Such lingams comprise a small piece of stone carved by specialist carvers that is then covered in a dark, protective compound called kauthi. This comprises a mix of lac, clay, sacred cow dung ashes, and marking-nut tree fruit juice or black antimony powder (also used as an eyeliner cosmetic.)

The Lingayat sect became prominent in the twelfth century as a reaction to Brahmanism. Many Lingayats today live in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadhu. The sect rejects the supremacy of the Brahmans; denies polytheism and acknowledges Shiva as the one true god thus rejecting Brahma and Vishnu. It rejects caste distinctions, rebirth, pilgrimages, temple worship and sacrifice; does not burn its dead but buries them; does not allow child marriage, and does allow widows to remarry.

The Lingayats believe movable lingams to be the only true symbol of Shiva. Individuals are initiated into the sect as they enter adulthood. A consecrated lingam uniquely created for each initiate is presented by a community guru amid prayers and ritual. The lingam is created only for the individual and must be protected and guarded, hence the need for a protective box as shown here. All Lingayats carry their personal lingam with them at all times. After death they are buried in a sitting position with the lingam in the left hand.

Overall, this lingam box is a superb item. The chain itself is a wonderful example of silversmithing, as is the box which is complex and complete. The box and the chain are very decorative and easily displayed as an object that is both sculptural and with a fascinating story.

References

Utracht, O., Traditional Jewelry of India, Thames & Hudson, 1997.

Provenance

UK art market

Inventory no.: 1331

SOLD