The identification of this image is uncertain. The object in the right hand could be a lance which belongs to the iconography of Karttikeya, a son of iva and Parvati and the Hindu God of War. The short dhoti usually indicative of an active and dynamic nature would synchronize well with the personality of Karttikeya, who was born to lead the army of the gods to vanquish mighty hoards of demons. The iconography in any case is unusual and this formula must have developed locally. The style is purely classical Javanese. The Indian inspired ring halo has been given a new form, while the conventional Indian costume and jewellery have been executed in a typically Javanese manner.

See colour illustration