Artwork
Ganesha
DepartmentAsian Art
CultureIndian
Date11th century
MediumChlorite
Dimensionsh. 37 1/2 in. (95.3 cm)
Credit LinePurchased with funds provided by the Bessie Timon Endowment Acquisition Fund
Object number91.15
GeographyPlace madeIndia
General regionAsia
DescriptionGanesha, the elephant-headed god of Wisdom is the most widely worshipped of the Hindu deities. Also know as Vigneshvara (Lord of Obstacles), he is worshipped by all pious Hindus before the beginning of any serious enterprise. Ganesha is the son of the Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati and is depicted as a pot bellied dwarf with the head of an elephant. He is usually shown with four or eight arms and like other Indian deities, he holds various attributes in his hands. Ganesha is shown here riding his particular vehicle, the rat. Above hangs a fruiting mango branch with suggests sweetness and bounty. In this stele the sculptor has succeeded in giving Ganesha an elegant and lightweight appearance in spite of the bulk of his belly. Carved steles as this example were inserted in the brick walls of shrines, and this particular deity was always the first to be addressed upon entering the temple.ProvenanceSold by Asiatic and Tribal Art, Amsterdam, to San Antonio Museum of Art, 1991.On view
Collections
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
