$892.50
In stock
Central Asia, India, probably Bengal, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. A wonderful white marble bust of the god Kartikeya, also known as Muruga, and Skanda, the Hindu god of war and son of Shiva and Parvati, depicted traditionally here with 6 heads each facing in a different direction and 4 extending arms. Upheld as the ideal of male beauty, his 6 youthful faces are representative of a legend surrounding his birth, according to which he was born as 6 boys who were later united into one by Parvati. In West Bengal, Kartikeya is associated with the birth of children and is worshiped on the last day of the month of Kartik wherein a clay model of the deity is kept at night before the day of worship (usually by friends) for the newly married couple before the door of their house. The deity is worshipped the next day in the evening and is offered toys. Size: 2.8″ L x 5.3″ W x 5.3″ H (7.1 cm x 13.5 cm x 13.5 cm); 7.6″ H (19.3 cm) on included custom stand.
Condition: Missing legs, hands of 2 arms, forearms of other 2 arms, and naga head on one side. Nicks, chips, and abrasions as shown. Liberal remaining detail and light earthen deposits throughout.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Pennsylvania, USA collection, 1990s
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