Antique Javanese Style Bronze Dancing Indonesian Ganesha Statue - 45cm/18"
Measures (Height) 45cm/18"
Antique Javanese style bronze dancing Ganesha from Indonesia, attended by his mount, a mouse. Ganesha is the elephant headed son of Shiva.
Ganesha stands on his mount, which itself stands on a circular lotus flower base. The lotus flower represents purity, compassion and the giving of great joy to all.
A halo can be seen behind the head of Ganesha. Further confirmation of his divinity is shown by the third eye on his forehead.
Here Ganesha is shown holding an axe. Whilst an elephant-headed deity wielding an axe may inspire images of a belligerent warhead, rest assured these items represent something far more encouraging. Instead, these instruments are rooted in metaphor and promote the idea that we should cut away the obstacles before us. In destroying our vices and obstacles, be they certain hurdles in our lives or more abstract feelings such as jealousy and anger, we can source new beginnings and cultivate a new approach to the things that have been worrying us.
Along with his axe, in another hand, in holds a mirror.
The direction of Ganesha's trunk has symbolic meaning. Here the trunk turns to Ganesha's left. This signifies the direction for success in the world. It is a position associated with grihastas, or householders.
Here Ganesha is attended by a mouse. The principal vehicle of Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is known as the Conqueror of Obstacles (Vighnaharta). Historically, when agriculture was the primary mode of sustenance, rodents were one of the biggest obstacles to prosperity. Rodents would destroy standing crops, eat up stored grains and thereby result in severe losses for the common man. Lord Ganesha, in having a mouse as his vehicle, is symbolically shown to have conquered this pest, thus staying true to his name of Vighnaharta.
In his early forms in India, Ganesha was associated with fertility. Later he became widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles and more generally as Lord of Beginnings and Lord of Obstacles, patron of arts and sciences and the deity of intellect and wisdom.
One of the most recognizable of the Asian deities this representation of Ganesha is sure to enlighten your home with endlessly timeless style.
The distinctive patina of the piece is particularly delightful.
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