This head of Shiva once adorned the cover of a linga. The third eye on the forehead, continuous pronounced eyebrow, tall top-knot, long earlobes, and jewellery are typical of depictions of the god made in the Cham culture of Vietnam. Lingas are a symbol for the creative energy of Shiva. Rivets at the base of the neck would have secured this face to a large cover (kosha) that fitted onto the top of a carved stone linga.
