This small and somewhat unusual bronze image is of Ganesh, the elephant-headed deity known as ‘the remover of obstacles’.
It shows Ganesh with a prominent pot belly and six arms – two of these are particularly prominent, the other four are represented by hands and attributes. Ganesh is seated on a high, conical, lotus petal dais. The lower left hand is holding sweets and the other hand seems to be feeding sweets to his delightfully curled trunk. He wears a tall, tiered, conical crown which seems more in a Maharashtra style.
The image has a milk-chocolate patina, and its features have light wear from puja (ritual prayer) use. It is in fine condition with no losses or repairs.
References
Dursum, B., et al, Change and Continuity: Folk and Tribal Art of India, Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami, 2004.