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.
Details
- Title : Plaque with Local Deity Ghantakarna and Spouse
- Year : 1599–1699 (c. 1600)
- Classification : Sculpture
- Medium : Gilt bronze
- Dimension : 7.3 x 5.4 x 1.3 cm (2 7/8 x 2 1/8 x 1/2 in.)
- Accession No : Reference Number 2014.1050
- Country/ Geo-location : Nepal Kathmandu Valley
- Collection : The Art Institute of Chicago
- Credit Line : Gift of Marilynn B. Alsdorf
- Status : Currently Off View