Antique circa 1800 Naga Linga Nandi Shiva Inga is finely hand carved in black steatite stone and of small proportions.  An almost identical example is in the "British Museum in London England, Collection Number 1880-1634" and apparently came from Fanny Parks via the India Museum circa 1880.  In her Wanderings of a pilgrim, which gives some account of her collection, Parks states 'Naga Linga Nandi' carved in black marble, it represents Nandi The Bull kneeling and supporting a linga on his back, in the centre of which is Shiva's five heads, four heads supporting the fifth, over which protrudes the head of a snake".  

The exterior is beaded, a snake is within it, the tail of which nearly reaches the end of the figure, the scale is too small to allow a distinct representation 'Wanderings, 1,264. Google 'Linga British Museum' follow the images to this description from Fanny Parks 'Wanderings of a Pilgrim', which not only aptly describes the British Museum's example, but our lovely example as well, however this linga also has another figure on the opposite side to Nandi.   

It is in good condition apart from much old wear and small old worn in chips to the snakes head at the top, one of the Nandi's horn stubs, tiny ones to the yoni rim and larger chips to the foot rim (please see photos).

Height 7.3 cm, 2 & 7/8" inches.
Length 9.6 cm, 3¾" inches.
Width 6.8 cm, 2¾" inches.
Unpacked weight 200 grams.

Please message us should you have any questions.  We aim to ship within 2 working days of receipt of payment and the piece will be shipped via a Royal Mail tracked postal service both domestically and international.

Please see the link for the British Museum below and image.

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/image/843525001