-40%
Ganesha, Khmer/Thai Peninsular Stone, 10th Century
$ 1531.2
- Description
- Size Guide
Description
Khmer/Thai Peninsular Stone Ganesh 10th CenturyKhmer/Thai Stone Ganesh 10th Century
Height: 21.5” (54.6 cm), Width: 14” (35.6 cm), depth 7” (17.8 cm),
Weight: 88 lbs. (40 kilograms)
Condition: very good, the surface is weathered and the details remain well discernable. No breaks, no cracks and no restoration.
This 10th century sculpture of Ganesh originates from the Khmer/Srivijaya peninsula that is now part of Thailand and Malaysia. The sculpture is heavily influenced by the styles of the Srivijaya Empire. Ganesh exhibits the customary corpulent belly and has four arms holding his attributes. He is the “remover of obstacles”; the rat, which is always depicted at his feet, is equally capable of overcoming obstacles, is Ganesh’s Vahana or vehicle. Ganesh wears an ankle length dhoti is embellished with anklets and bracelets. In accurate iconographic style the sacred thread or cast cord (upavita) fashioned in the shape of a snake crosses his chest arising to the left shoulder with the head of the serpent resting on the deity’s stomach.
Ganesh’s has a shortened right tusk, which according to one legend, was broken by a fall caused by his stomach bursting. The broken tusk in his lower right hand is a reference to Ganesh hurling his broken tusk at the Moon in retaliation for being amused with his unfortunate accident caused by his own gluttony. In Ganesh’s upper right hand is a lotus, while his upper left holds a rosary or noose. The lower part of his trunk is left-turned to the pot of sweets held in his lower left hand.
One legend of Lord Ganesh:
Lord Shiva sat on the remote peak of Mount Kailash in deep meditation. Years passed he remained entranced unaware of the passage of time. His consort, Parvati became lonesome and willed the creation of a son, Ganesh, in the likeness of herself and Shiva from the sandalwood fragrance of her skin.
Ganesh was extremely devoted to his mother and Shiva remained unaware of the existence of his son. When he finally returned from his long absence he was barred from entering his own home by an unknown that claimed to be the son of the Goddess Parvati. Shiva was told by Ganesh that Parvati had commanded him not to allow anyone to enter to her home without her permission, which had not been given. Regardless of all Shiva said and threatened Ganesh refused him entry, which resulted in a royal battle to ensue. Ganesh had been endowed with the gifts of both parents: from Shiva the ability to create or destroy and from Parvati he received divine energy. Irresistible force met with immovable object and in all his rage and fury Shiva cut off Ganesh’s head and threw it out into irretrievable space. It was not until he faced the wrath of Parvati that he realized that he had beheaded his own son. Overcome with grief he ordered his attendants to bring him the head of the first living creature they saw. They returned with the head of an elephant, which Shiva attached to his son’s body. Shiva being extremely remorseful for his actions imbued Ganesh with foremost place in the pantheon of gods as the Most Auspicious of all Deities, the Remover of all Obstacles and the Deity whose benediction ensures success in all ventures.
A letter, similar to the one in the photos, will be included with the purchase. I purchased this sculpture around 1990 from an antique dealer in Bangkok, a photo of the shop is attached.
This is a heavy sculpture and will be boxed and crated to insure safe delivery to its new home.