Vintage Silver Shiva Lingam Casket Necklace with Ganesh Protector

An interesting lingam necklace from the second half of the twentieth century worn by the lingayats, followers of Lord  Shiva at all times. The pendant is made of a type of a box and has a main chamber to hold the Shiva lingam stone and two side chambers that act as receptacles for the chain.  There casket only closes in the middle so it does not close very tightly.  The chain is made of woven silver threads. 

This is a peculiar lingam as it has depictions of the Lord Ganesh both as an engraving and as a carved stone hanging from the bottom of the casket, perhaps Ganesh is guarding the Shiva lingam.

• The chain is 26" or 66 cm long.
• The pendant is 2 1/4 x 2" or 6 x 5 cm.
• Diameter of the central chamber is 2.2 cm (7/8").
• Weight is 65.3 g.