Java. Ca. 10th/11th c. Bronze with very fine green patina. This rare and comparatively large bronze Ganesha image is a tour-de-force of workmanship. Ganesha sits in the posture of Royal Ease (rajalalitasana) on a lotus throne, his trunk mischievously dipped into the bowl with sweets. His hands hold his classic attributes: the broken tusk, the battle axe, and a (fragmentary) rosary. His crown is decorated with Shiva's crescent and a skull. The elaborate halo is decorated with lotus flowers and leaves, and a group of worshipping figures.
Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, is the most popular Hindu deity. Known to be the remover of obstacles, offerings are made to him prior to the beginning of any venture, be it an exam, a long journey or the beginning of a new business. Not surprisingly, Ganesha was not only venerated in India itself, but also in the distant trading outposts in Southeast Asia. Mostly of small size, a number of Ganesha bronze images are known from Java, and some rather spectacular stone sculptures commanded prime positions in early Javanese temples. Height 35cm. Condition A/B.
Provenance: -Private Collection Singapore, since 1980s. -Private collection Belgium, since 2014.