This is a rare example of south Indian temple jewellery; such embellishments would have been used to adorn temple deities on festive occasions. The lingam is one of the most ancient religious symbols; the most common form seen in Indian representations is the lingam set in a yoni. In this gold version the large cobra head and ringed base with scale detail representing the coils surmounting a gold yoni and lingam, with three suspended elements below is typical of the Tamil ritual jewellery.
