Southeast Asia, Thailand, ca. early 20th century CE. A lovely cast-brass statue of the elephant-headed deity Ganesh or Ganesha, the Lord of Good Fortune who provides riches, success, and general prosperity. He is kneeling on an integral square and presents a pot belly - a feature that is the result of his love for sweet; in fact, in one hand is a modaka sweet dumpling. The other hand rests on his knee holding a tusk; note that he is indeed missing his right tusk! When Ganesha was writing the Mahabharata, his quill broke so he broke off his tusk and continued to write with that. He is adorned with ornate jewelry, a tiered headdress, and a snake, likely the serpent king Vasuki, coils around his body. The surface has developed a lovely green and blue patina. Size: 5.5" L x 5.5" W x 9" H (14 cm x 14 cm x 22.9 cm)
Provenance: ex-Ashland University Museum, Ashland, Ohio, USA, donated to Ashland University between July 1994 to December 1998
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#166381
Condition
Earthen and mineral deposits. Rich green patina. Minor surface abrasions and casting imperfections. Intact with old brick infill within base to strengthen or from the original architectural element the statue rested on.