This rare piece comprises a gold head of the Hindu deity Shiva. Known as a mukhalinga (literally 'face of the linga'), it is adorned with top-knot and earrings inlaid with semi-precious stones, attached to long earlobes. The head is rivetted at the base of the neck, to a silver cover (kosa). The sheet metal was formed around a clay or resin core and beaten in order to reveal the underlying surface decoration, a technique known a repousse.Cham inscriptions mention that metal covers such as this kosa, were important gifts made by royal Shaivite devotees. The kosa was intended to cover a symbolic Shiva lingam, usually made in another material such as stone. This Brahmanical tradition was adopted by early Southeast Asian rulers, for divine protection and to establish their legitimacy.
