10117

Country Group: The Himalayas (Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia and Other)

Item id: 10117

"An exceptionally rare, archaic bronze votive figure of a Proto-Ganesha or Elephant-Headdressed Gana, dating to the late Kushan or early Gupta period (c. 3rd–5th century CE). Rather than the standard zoomorphic elephant head, the master metalsmith has cast a serene human countenance crowned by an arched elephant trunk crest and framed by prominent elephant ears. Bearing a dense, unbuffed archaeological malachite and cuprite patina, this piece captures the nascent evolution of Lord Ganesha from early Yaksha/Gana nature spirits into codified Hindu iconography." Very very early Ganesh- likely in the range of 1500-1700 years old, and the earliest Ganesh in bronze you will ever see outside the museum.. Came to me with a group of Gandharan objects. Likely the earliest bronze Ganesh you are likely to encounter outside of a museum. The striking thing about him is his "human" face and lack of a trunk. After close study and showing him to a number of knowledgeable people, I believe that during the generations/centuries of the original period of his use his "face" and trunk were worn flat from so much ritual use (look at him sideways and you can see his flattened stomach and flatness to his cheeks). A very good sculptor may have carefully re-imagined his face into what you now see here. As the patina styling and overall feel match so well, this would have to been done very early in his life, It is also possible that he is a very rare and unusual human faced Ganesh from an early culture. Heavy for his size, and seems much larger than his dimensions suggest. Sits only 2 1/8" tall and3 5/8" on its custom base) and solid cast. Domestic shipping is included. International shipping is $30.. ( 2.25"H x 1.5"W x .75"D ) - 125g (Base 1.25"H)