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, set with ruby and emeralsds, the large cobra head and ringed base representing the coils of the cobra with scale detail, surmounting a gold yoni and lingam, with three suspended elements below is typical of Tamil ritual jewellery.
