Central Asia, India, ca. 16th to 17th century CE or possibly earlier. Finely carved from black steatite, a wonderful ensemble featuring Ganesh (also Ganesha or Ganapati), the elephant-headed deity known as the "Remover of Obstacles" flanked by two cloaked chauri (fly whisk) bearers. Ganesh's portly state is the result of his well-known infatuation with sweets, and he sits with one bent leg while holding his arms atop his knees. In his upper hands he holds several ritualistic objects or weapons. Nice traces of applied puja (red camwood powder) remain particularly in incised/recessed areas of the piece. Size: 3.3" W x 2.625" H (8.4 cm x 6.7 cm); 3.5" H (8.9 cm) on included custom stand.
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.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, ex-collection of Cavas Gobhai, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; collection assembled from 1960s to 1980
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#152695
Condition
Professionally repaired from three pieces with no restoration. Minor chips as shown.