Ganesha is one of the most widely recognised and best-loved deities in Hinduism. The son of Shiva and Parvati, he is shown with an elephant head, curved trunk and large ears, and the rounded, pot-bellied body of a man. Known as the Lord of Success and the Remover of Obstacles, he is prayed to at the start of new ventures and honoured as the god of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth.
This large statue was hand carved in the city of Mysore, Karnataka, India, from Shivani wood. Mysore has a long tradition of wood carving, producing intricate religious and folk art from local timbers chosen for their ability to hold fine detail.
Date: Early 21st century
Geography: Mysore, Karnataka, India
Dimensions: 48cm H x 31cm W x 20cm D
Weight: 4.444kg
Material: Shivani wood, on a darker wooden base
Condition: New. See photos.
The carving
Ganesha sits on a lotus throne in a relaxed pose, wearing a tall, tiered crown. He has four arms, and each one holds one of his traditional attributes:
Upper hands: the axe and the noose, symbols of cutting away attachment and drawing the devotee closer to the spiritual path
Lower hand: a bowl of modak, his favourite sweet, which his trunk curves towards, representing the sweetness of a well-lived life
Lower hand: raised in blessing / holding his broken tusk]
Every surface is finely worked, from the jewellery and patterned robes to the decorative backing that frames his ears. The pale, even grain of the wood shows off the detail, and the piece stands on a rich, dark stepped base.
This is a substantial statue, ideal as the centrepiece of a home shrine, or as a striking feature in a living room, hallway or study. It’s also traditionally placed near an entrance, where Ganesha is believed to welcome good fortune and keep obstacles away.
As with all our hand-carved pieces, this statue is one of a kind, and natural variations in the grain and carving are part of its character. Dimensions and weight are approximate.
www.naturallycrafted.co.uk/blog/lord-ganesha-the-elephant-headed-hindu-god
Ganesha is one of the most widely recognised and best-loved deities in Hinduism. The son of Shiva and Parvati, he is shown with an elephant head, curved trunk and large ears, and the rounded, pot-bellied body of a man. Known as the Lord of Success and the Remover of Obstacles, he is prayed to at the start of new ventures and honoured as the god of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth.
This large statue was hand carved in the city of Mysore, Karnataka, India, from Shivani wood. Mysore has a long tradition of wood carving, producing intricate religious and folk art from local timbers chosen for their ability to hold fine detail.
Date: Early 21st century
Geography: Mysore, Karnataka, India
Dimensions: 48cm H x 31cm W x 20cm D
Weight: 4.444kg
Material: Shivani wood, on a darker wooden base
Condition: New. See photos.
The carving
Ganesha sits on a lotus throne in a relaxed pose, wearing a tall, tiered crown. He has four arms, and each one holds one of his traditional attributes:
Upper hands: the axe and the noose, symbols of cutting away attachment and drawing the devotee closer to the spiritual path
Lower hand: a bowl of modak, his favourite sweet, which his trunk curves towards, representing the sweetness of a well-lived life
Lower hand: raised in blessing / holding his broken tusk]
Every surface is finely worked, from the jewellery and patterned robes to the decorative backing that frames his ears. The pale, even grain of the wood shows off the detail, and the piece stands on a rich, dark stepped base.
This is a substantial statue, ideal as the centrepiece of a home shrine, or as a striking feature in a living room, hallway or study. It’s also traditionally placed near an entrance, where Ganesha is believed to welcome good fortune and keep obstacles away.
As with all our hand-carved pieces, this statue is one of a kind, and natural variations in the grain and carving are part of its character. Dimensions and weight are approximate.
www.naturallycrafted.co.uk/blog/lord-ganesha-the-elephant-headed-hindu-god
