Indian Bronze Ganesh or Ganesha

This small, lost-wax cast bronze figure of Ganesh dates to the 17th century or earlier. A very similar example in the Lowe Art Museum (University of Miami) has been given a 14th century dating (see Dursum, 2004, p. 85).

The image shows the deity with two arms, one feeding sweets to his trunk, and the other holding an attribute.

Ganesh’s vahana (mount), a rat, is at his left knee.

The patina is well-developed, untouched and variegated. The casting is solid. An old museum or collection tag affixed to the bottom that indicates: “LORD GANESHA BENGAL XVll CENT”. As mentioned, the likely dating probably is significantly earlier.

A loop is cast to the back of the piece to allow the insertion of a flower or perhaps a small figure to enhance the piece.

The piece has a superb patina consistent with an early dating.