About this artwork
This small plaque, meant for a miniature shrine, most likely in the home, portrays Ghantakarna (“Bell-Eared”), a folk deity who became a manifestation or a companion of Kumara, the God of War. Like Kumara, Ghantakarna is seated on his vehicle, the peacock, while his spouse sits on his knee, supported by her vehicle, a crouching man. He holds various attributes in three of his arms: peacock feathers, a rooster, and a serpent. His fourth arm makes the gesture of reassurance. This folk deity, popular in the Kathmandu Valley, is worshipped for protecting cattle and warding off small-pox.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Arts of Asia
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Title
- Plaque with Local Deity Ghantakarna and Spouse
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Place
- Kathmandu Valley (Object made in)
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Date
- 1599–1699
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Medium
- Gilt bronze
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Dimensions
- 7.3 × 5.4 × 1.3 cm (2 7/8 × 2 1/8 × 1/2 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of Marilynn B. Alsdorf
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Reference Number
- 2014.1050
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/144739/manifest.json