Ganesha, Orissa, India, 17thᵉ century

Statuette of Ganesh represented with four arms, copper alloy, India, Orissa (Odisha), 17th century.

• Dimensions: H 8.5 cm x W 5 cm x D 4 cm
• Weight 354 grams
• Provenance: Estate of Asian art dealer and collector Claude de Marteau
• Sold with certificate of origin.

Ganesha, the Lord of Beginnings and the Remover of Obstacles

The deep patina of this sculpture is the result of its long ritual life. Generations of devotees who touched it, anointings of ghee, oils, milk, sandalwood paste, or turmeric, as well as the smoke from oil lamps and incense, have slowly shaped its surface, giving it that distinctive presence unique to sculptures that have seen long devotional use.

Ganesha’s four arms symbolize his ability to act simultaneously in all directions. His trunk turns to his left (Vamamukhi Ganesha), an orientation traditionally associated with gentleness, benevolence, and worship that supports success in everyday life.

He holds four emblematic attributes:

• an elephant goad (ankusha), used to guide the mind and symbolizing self-mastery and wisdom;
• a modaka, a traditional Indian sweet, symbol of the reward of spiritual efforts and the sweetness of knowledge;
• a noose (pasha), used to capture and tame human desires in order to guide devotees on the right path;
• his broken tusk, a symbol of sacrifice and devotion to knowledge.

According to the most widespread legend, the sage Vyasa was to dictate the epic Mahabharata and sought a scribe capable of writing without interruption. Ganesha accepted this task on one condition: Vyasa must never stop reciting. When his stylus broke during the writing, Ganesha snapped off one of his own tusks so he could continue transcribing without interrupting the story. This act became the symbol of self-sacrifice in the service of knowledge and wisdom.

Originally, Ganesha was notably associated with fertility. Over the centuries, his worship evolved and he became one of the most popular deities in Hinduism. Venerated as the Lord of Beginnings and the Remover of Obstacles, he is also the patron of the arts and sciences, as well as the deity of intellect, wisdom, and prosperity.

This image of Ganesha comes from the estate of the dealer and collector Claude de Marteau and is sold with a certificate of provenance.