A black stone stele of Ganesha

NORTHEASTERN INDIA, PALA PERIOD, 10TH/11TH CENTURY

Details

A black stone stele of Ganesha
Northeastern India, Pala period, 10th/11th century
Seated in lalitasana with his pendant foot resting on the rat, holding a mala, radish, and bowl of sweets in three of his hands with the fourth resting on the handle of an axe, clad in a short dhoti with the folds hanging over the edge of the base and adorned with a beaded sacred thread and necklace, the face with curled trunk and downcast eyes flanked by wide ears, the hair arranged on top of the head in a short chignon and secured with a beaded headband, surrounded by a flaming aureole
21 in. (53.3 cm.) high

Provenance

Private collection, Europe, acquired in New York, 27 November 1991

Lot Essay

Depending on his form, Ganesha can be depicted with between two to sixteen arms. The present lot is shown with four arms holding his standard attributes. Many are familiar with Ganesha's penchant for sweets, hence the bowl and his belly, while the radish symbolizes abundance. It is thought that Ganesha encourages his devotees to grow more radishes than they need, perhaps so that they will offer him the excess.

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