Southeast Asia, Thailand, ca. mid-20th century CE. A cast brass statue of Ganesha, the elephant headed deity known as the "Remover of Obstacles," dancing atop a lotus pedestal. He is attended by a mouse, rat, or shrew next to his feet, and he holds several ritualistic objects or weapons in his four hands. Ganesh's portly state is the result of his well-known infatuation with sweets, and a snake, likely Vasuki, the serpent king, coils around his body. The underside of the hollow base is filled with the remains of brick/ mortar from when this was set in a niche or public shrine, and the surface has some weathering from exposure to the elements. Size: 8" L x 5.5" W x 14" H (20.3 cm x 14 cm x 35.6 cm)
Esteemed as one of the principal 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 Orange County, California, USA collection acquired before 2000
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#178922
Condition
Stable fissure to base. Casting imperfections and abrasions to surface. Loss to implement in upper right hand, tusk and headdress. Green patina and dark toning. Remains of mortar in base adds to the weight of the piece. Old export seal attached by string to his hand as shown.