South Asia, India, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. An impressive, finely carved wooden panel featuring the elephant-headed deity Ganesha (also spelled Ganesh), the Lord of Good Fortune who provides riches, success, and general prosperity. In this carving, Ganesha appears to be dancing upon a lotus pedestal with his left leg bent at the knee and angled outward and his four arms either raised or extended. The god presents with his characteristic pot belly, resulting from his love for sweets, as well as an elaborate headdress and jewelry, holding his various attributes. Ganesha's surround is quite elaborate with two birds perched amidst botanical tendrils. Size: 2.875" L x 11.25" W x 24.5" H (7.3 cm x 28.6 cm x 62.2 cm)
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 Jersey, USA collection
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#162591
Condition
Some stable age cracks to Ganesha, lotus pedestal base, and surround. Reattached section to lower right of pedestal base. Normal surface wear commensurate with age. Scattered inactive insect holes.