Important Notice

Chola Dynasty, 12th Century CE
Granite
Height: 24 in (61 cm)
Width: 19.5 in (49.5 cm)

REGISTERED ANTIQUITY-NON-EXPORTABLE


Ganesha, the lord of wisdom and the remover of all obstacles, is one of the most revered deities of the Hindu pantheon. No new venture ever begins without a prayer to this mighty son of Lord Shiva.

Sculptural representations of Ganesha are seen from the 5th century onwards, from various regions of India. The style, proportion and ornamentation vary from dynasty to dynasty. The Guptas and Rashtrakutas in the North, and the Chalukyas in the South created some fine early specimens. The beauty of the form of Ganesha is such that it is a craftsman's delight. The elephant head, trunk and pot belly give a lot of scope for a carver to exhibit his talent and creativity.

The sculpture on offer is a complete Chola specimen and personifies the elephant god accurately. One gets a glimpse of his portly form, his finely chiselled trunk, and his hands. The sculpture's immaculate condition and early dating make it a covetable piece.

The powerful Chola Dynasty ruled Tamil Nadu from the 10th to the 13th Century A.D. This magnificent empire covered the Maldives and the banks of the Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. Apart from being great conquerors, they were also dedicated art patrons and had an eye for art. They created some of the most outstanding sculptures in metal and stone. Raja Raja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola built spectacular temples. The proportion, posture, expression and rhythm of sculptures of this period still stand unrivalled.

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