A FRAGMENTARY SANDSTONE HEAD OF A GANESHA, BAYON STYLE, ANGKOR PERIOD
A FRAGMENTARY SANDSTONE HEAD OF A GANESHA, BAYON STYLE, ANGKOR PERIOD
Khmer Empire, 12th-13th century. The face with a meditative expression, a prominent forehead above finely incised almond-shaped eyes, and short tusks framing the trunk. A tall foliate tiara rises above the braided, conical coiffure, flanked by elongated ears.
Provenance: From a German private collection.
Condition: Condition commensurate with age, showing ancient wear, signs of weathering and erosion, encrustations, surface scratches, nicks, structural fissures, obvious losses, and the tusk and right ear reattached with associated fills and touchups.
Weight: 7.6 kg (incl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 24 cm (excl. stand), 33.5 cm (incl. stand)
Mounted on a modern stand. (2)
Expert's note: The distinctive treatment of the headdress following the natural contour of the forehead is consistent with the Bayon style of the late 12th to early 13th century. Together with the simple conical headdress, broad facial proportions, and restrained modeling, these stylistic characteristics support an attribution to the Bayon period.
A popular Hindu deity, Ganesha was introduced to Cambodian artists in the 7th century. Over the next five centuries, India's chubby elephant icon was transformed into a sleek, anthropomorphic figure. Ganesha is known by many other names, the most common ones being Ganapati, Vinayaka, Vighanapati, Balachandra, and Vighaneshvara. He has two sons, Ksema (meaning prosperity; he is also called Subha, auspiciousness), and Labha (profit).
Literature comparison:
Compare a related sandstone bust of Ganesha, dated 12th-13th century, in the Linden Museum, Stuttgart, accession number SA 36801.
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A FRAGMENTARY SANDSTONE HEAD OF A GANESHA, BAYON STYLE, ANGKOR PERIOD
Khmer Empire, 12th-13th century. The face with a meditative expression, a prominent forehead above finely incised almond-shaped eyes, and short tusks framing the trunk. A tall foliate tiara rises above the braided, conical coiffure, flanked by elongated ears.
Provenance: From a German private collection.
Condition: Condition commensurate with age, showing ancient wear, signs of weathering and erosion, encrustations, surface scratches, nicks, structural fissures, obvious losses, and the tusk and right ear reattached with associated fills and touchups.
Weight: 7.6 kg (incl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 24 cm (excl. stand), 33.5 cm (incl. stand)
Mounted on a modern stand. (2)
Expert's note: The distinctive treatment of the headdress following the natural contour of the forehead is consistent with the Bayon style of the late 12th to early 13th century. Together with the simple conical headdress, broad facial proportions, and restrained modeling, these stylistic characteristics support an attribution to the Bayon period.
A popular Hindu deity, Ganesha was introduced to Cambodian artists in the 7th century. Over the next five centuries, India's chubby elephant icon was transformed into a sleek, anthropomorphic figure. Ganesha is known by many other names, the most common ones being Ganapati, Vinayaka, Vighanapati, Balachandra, and Vighaneshvara. He has two sons, Ksema (meaning prosperity; he is also called Subha, auspiciousness), and Labha (profit).
Literature comparison:
Compare a related sandstone bust of Ganesha, dated 12th-13th century, in the Linden Museum, Stuttgart, accession number SA 36801.
Buyer's Premium
30%
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
