19th C. Indian Wood Panel w/ Ganesha and Attendants

South Asia, India, Tamil Nadu, ca. 19th century CE. A gorgeous wood panel of rectangular form, skillfully hand-carved into an openwork motif of 3 forms of the elephant-headed deity Ganesha, the Lord of Good Fortune who provides riches, success, and general prosperity, all standing in an architectural framework and surrounded by attendants. The central Ganesha sits in half lotus position atop a lotus throne displaying 4 arms, while the remaining forms each have 6 arms. The god on the left rides his mouse or rat vahana and the Ganesha to the right is shown dancing. All 3 raise 2 of their hands, which grasp a club and an elephant goad, and hold out 2 other hands before them in a delicate gesture, perhaps a mudra, with the left palm up and the right palm down. In their additional hands, the Ganesha figures on either side hold a serpent noose and another club or pestle. The central deity is also accompanied by his consort who stands to his right. Size: 49" L x 12" H (124.5 cm x 30.5 cm)

Esteemed as one of the principal deities of the Hindu pantheon, the first son of Shiva and Parvati, Ganesha is known as the Lord of Plenty or the God of Auspiciousness, highly revered as the regulator of all obstacles with the power to create and remove them. Followers traditionally ask for his blessings at the beginning of any new paths or serious endeavors. The origin of his unusual physiognomy, particularly how he came to possess such an unusual head is the source of many legends, the most popular is that one day when Shiva was away from home, Parvati created a human son from her own body. She asked her son to guard the door while she was bathing. Quite unexpectedly, Shiva returned home, and the boy would not allow Shiva to enter his own household. Enraged by this, Shiva cut off the boy's head. Parvati grew quite angry and ordered Shiva to replace his head. Shiva did so with the first living being he encountered, an elephant.

Ganesha is widely revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences, and the deva of intellect and wisdom. As the god of beginnings, he is honored at the start of rituals and ceremonies. Ganesha is also invoked as patron of letters and learning during writing sessions. Ganesha's image is found throughout India. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, as well as beyond India. He is also noted for having 32 forms that are mentioned frequently in devotional literature, 3 of which can be seen here.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection

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#167974
Condition Report: Intact and excellent with some graining to wood and nice earthen deposits. Suspension wire on verso.