Ganesha Black stone Eastern India, Pala period

The bejeweled elephant-headed God of Plenty, dancing on a plinth with his rat vehicle beneath, holding his attributes the battle axe and a bowl of sweets. He lassoes a serpent above his head as two vidyadharas look on from either side. The apex of the stele is ornamented with a bunch of ripe mangoes.

Acquired privately, 1990s

Fragmentary, as visible in catalogue illustration. Some losses to upper left fingertips. Some shearing to surface near mango branch. Some chips and loss to body of naga at apex above Ganesha. Chip to right and left knees. Some shearing to surface above Ganesha's left ear and along right side of sculpture. Loss to knuckles of principle right hand. Earth deposits in the depths of the sculpture. Loss of right tusk (Ganesha's left tusk is always depicted broken according to mythology). With separate wall mount. No restoration.
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