Karttikeya, the God of War
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
- 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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