South Asia, India, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A finely carved and hand-painted statue of the elephant-headed deity Ganesha (also spelled Ganesh), the Lord of Good Fortune who provides rich fortune, success, and general prosperity, standing up straight with his endearing pot belly (a feature that is the result of his love for sweets and makes for an adorable silhouette) holding his various attributes in upraised hands. Ganesh is adorned with an elaborate head ornament, a sunburst collar, epaulet like ornaments on his shoulders, flowing leg coverings with a bejeweled belt, anklets, and bracelets. He stands upon a lotus pedestal. Size: 8.5" W x 18.375" H (21.6 cm x 46.7 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 J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA
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#151122
Condition
Stable fissures to pedestal. Normal surface wear commensurate with age, but otherwise excellent.