Panel of a Portable Shrine with Karttikeya, the God of War

6th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 237

Here, the god of war Karttikeya, eldest son of Shiva and Parvati, is accompanied by a peacock, his vehicle, and a male donor presenting an offering. The deity is also associated with the rooster, likely the bird he holds in one hand. In his lower-left hand, he displays a victory laurel, marking his triumphs in combat, the most celebrated of which is the slaying of the demon Taraka. Karttikeya touches the donor’s head with the laurel, as if bestowing victory upon him.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Panel of a Portable Shrine with Karttikeya, the God of War
Date: 6th century
Culture: Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
Medium: Schist
Dimensions: H. 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm)
Classification: Sculpture
Credit Line: Samuel Eilenberg Collection, Gift of Samuel Eilenberg, 1987
Object Number: 1987.142.211
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

In the same gallery

In the same medium

Standing figure, Teotihuacan artist(s), Green schist, Teotihuacan — Standing figure
Teotihuacan artist(s)
350–600 CE

Diadem with Kinnaris (Half-Bird, Half-Female Creatures), Gold inset with garnet, India (Jammu & Kashmir, ancient kingdom of Kashmir) — Diadem with Kinnaris (Half-Bird, Half-Female Creatures)
India (Jammu & Kashmir, ancient kingdom of Kashmir)
9th–10th century

Buddha, Schist, Pakistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, possibly Takht-i-bahi monastery, ancient region of Gandhara — Buddha
Pakistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, possibly Takht-i-bahi monastery, ancient region of Gandhara
3rd century

Avalokiteshvara Padmapani, Bronze inlaid with silver and copper, Pakistan (Swat Valley) — Avalokiteshvara Padmapani
Pakistan (Swat Valley)
7th century

Standing Bodisattva Maitreya (Buddha of the Future), Schist, Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara) — Standing Bodisattva Maitreya (Buddha of the Future)
Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
ca. 3rd century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.