Karttikeya, the God of War
Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
Here, the god of war is in his youthful manifestation, with a dagger secured at his waist. He holds a javelin and rooster, the latter associated with speed and aggression. The tail feathers of his peacock are visible behind his feet. The handsome, young god has a Shiva-like chignon and large elliptical earplugs in the Indian manner of the sixth-century Gupta period.
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