Important stele / ritual sculpture in carved marble, polychrome and gilded – The seated god Ganesh - Sculpted white marble from Jaipur/Rajasthan, application of gold leaf on the crown (mukuta), the - 19th century

[Sacred Art / India] Important stele / ritual sculpture in marble, carved, polychrome and gilded – The seated god Ganesh with his vahana the rat (Mushika) – India (Rajasthan / Jaipur), 19th century

Very beautiful and imposing ritual altar sculpture, rendered in the round and in high relief, in a dense white marble, hand-carved, enhanced with gold leaf gilding and painted details in polychromy (blue, red, black and gold).

Subject & Iconography: Representation of the elephant-headed god Ganesh (Ganesha), deity of wisdom, intelligence and remover of obstacles. He is depicted seated in a sacred posture on a plinth-supported throne. He has 4 arms holding his traditional ritual attributes. His trunk is turned downward and to the left. On the lower part of the plinth (painted with blue and red friezes), one observes the sculpted and painted in black and white its sacred mount (vahana), the rat / mouse (Mushika).

Material & Finish: Jaipur/Rajasthan white marble carved, application of gold leaf on the crown (mukuta), the trunk, the ornaments and the garments, outlined with ink traces and original pigments.

Origin: India (Rajasthan / Jaipur, Hindu cult art).

Period: 19th century.

Dimensions & Weight:
Height: 18 cm
Width: 11 cm
Thickness: 4 cm
Weight: 1218 g (very dense and massive piece)

Overall condition: Fine state of preservation for a 19th-century marble ritual sculpture.

Polychromy & Worn Areas: Superb patina of authenticity. Natural wear and patina of the gold leaf as well as the painted pigments due to the passage of time and ritual altar use. Marble structure is perfect, with no major loss."