Central Asia, India, ca. 15th century CE. Finely carved from a single block of stone, a relief statue depicting the elephant-headed Ganesha ( also Ganapati and Vinayaka) sitting upon a plinth with scrolled motifs to represent a lotus throne. Ganesha's portly state is the result of his renowned love of sweets; perhaps he is holding a delectable delight in his upper left hand. Ganesha is adorned with an elaborate floral head ornament, a necklace (this may actually be a snake, a traditional attribute of Ganesha), bracelets, armlets, and flowing garments. In his upper right hand he also holds a ritualistic object or weapon. A fine rendering of one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon. Size: 6" L x 10.25" W x 15.125" H (15.2 cm x 26 cm x 38.4 cm)

Esteemed as one of the principle deities of the Hindu pantheon, the first son of Shiva and Parvati, Ganesha is known as the Lord of Plenty or the God of Auspiciousness, highly revered as the regulator of all obstacles with the power to create and remove them. Followers traditionally ask for his blessings at the beginning of any new paths or serious endeavors. The origin of his unusual physiognomy, particularly how he came to possess such an unusual head is the source of many legends, the most popular is that one day when Shiva was away from home, Parvati created a human son from her own body. She asked her son to guard the door while she was bathing. Quite unexpectedly, Shiva returned home, and the boy would not allow Shiva to enter his own household. Enraged by this, Shiva cut off the boy's head. Parvati grew quite angry and ordered Shiva to replace his head. Shiva did so with the first living being he encountered, an elephant.

Ganesha is widely revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences, and the deva of intellect and wisdom. As the god of beginnings, he is honored at the start of rituals and ceremonies. Ganesha is also invoked as patron of letters and learning during writing sessions. Ganesha's image is found throughout India. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, as well as beyond India.

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA

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#149598

Expected surface wear with abrasions and losses to peripheries and high-pointed areas commensurate with age. This said, the outstanding details of the carving are very well preserved. Nice surface deposits as well.