Karttikeya, the God of War

India (Jammu and Kashmir, ancient kingdom of Kashmir)

8th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 237

Here, the god of war sits regally on his vehicle, a peacock, as if enthroned. He displays the rosary (aksamala) favored by his father, Shiva, and, instead of his usual javelin, holds a disk standard seemingly with solar symbolism. This iconography is unprecedented.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Karttikeya, the God of War
Date: 8th century
Culture: India (Jammu and Kashmir, ancient kingdom of Kashmir)
Medium: Brass with silver inlay
Dimensions: H. 10 1/2 × W. 6 1/4 × D. 3 in. (26.7 × 15.9 × 7.6 cm)
Classification: Sculpture
Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
Object Number: 2015.500.4.5
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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