Enquiry about object: 7287
Unusual Eastern Indian Bronze Standing Image of Ganesh
Eastern India 18th century
height: 8cm, width: 4.3cm, depth: 3.5cm, weight: 150g
Provenance
UK art market; private UK collection.
This unusual standing figure of Ganesh, the elephant-headed deity known as ‘the remover of obstacles’, has been cast from bronze.
It shows Ganesh with a small pot belly, two prominent, rounded ears; large, coffee-bean eyes, and two arms. One arm rests on the deity’s hip, and the other is held in abhaya mudra.
The trunk curls around to the figure’s left. Other features include a tall, tiered, conical crown with a spherical finial.
A small rat is cast between the deity’s feet. The rat is the vahana or celestial vehicle of Ganesh.
The image stands on a round platform. It is in fine condition with a good, varying patina.
References
Dursum, B., et al, Change and Continuity: Folk and Tribal Art of India, Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami, 2004.
