Ganesha goddess Stone, sandstone India, 12th century AD 20 cm height, 18,5 cm width and 10 cm thickness, 29,5 cm height with stand. Condition: Very good, see photos. Provenance: Private collection, France, 1970. Ganesha, traditionally worshipped as a god rather than a goddess, occupied a prominent place in Indian religious art during the 12th century, a period marked by the flourishing of stone sculpture under various regional dynasties. In Shaivite and Vaishnavite temples alike, his figure appeared in reliefs and sculptures intended to invoke protection, wisdom, and good fortune. During this century, especially in regions such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha, artisans developed representations of Ganesha with remarkable technical sophistication. Reliefs often showed him seated in the lalitasana posture, with a prominent belly and an elephant head decorated with conical or floral crowns. His multiple arms held symbolic attributes such as the axe, the modaka sweet, the rope, and occasionally the gesture of granting wishes. In temples now belonging to the Hoysala and Chola styles, Ganesha appeared in exterior niches and narrative panels, integrating himself into broader iconographic programs. Finely chiseled surfaces highlighted geometric patterns, plant motifs, and ornaments that framed the divine figure. These sculptures not only served a devotional function but also demonstrated the aesthetic mastery of regional workshops, consolidating Ganesha's image as an essential spiritual presence in medieval India.