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A BLACKSTONE STELE OF DANCING GANESHA NORTHEASTERN INDIA, PALA PERIOD, CIRCA 11TH CENTURY image 1
A BLACKSTONE STELE OF DANCING GANESHA NORTHEASTERN INDIA, PALA PERIOD, CIRCA 11TH CENTURY image 2
A BLACKSTONE STELE OF DANCING GANESHA NORTHEASTERN INDIA, PALA PERIOD, CIRCA 11TH CENTURY image 3
Lot 3226

A BLACKSTONE STELE OF DANCING GANESHA
NORTHEASTERN INDIA, PALA PERIOD, CIRCA 11TH CENTURY

20 March 2018, 18:30 EDT
New York

US$80,000 - US$120,000

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A BLACKSTONE STELE OF DANCING GANESHA

NORTHEASTERN INDIA, PALA PERIOD, CIRCA 11TH CENTURY
19 5/8 in. (50 cm) high

Footnotes

This exquisite example depicts of one the most beloved subjects in Hindu sculpture, and perfectly reflects Grewal's adroit summary of a Dancing Ganesha's ubiquitous appeal:

"Despite his considerable bulk, images of the dancing Ganesha are saturated with rhythm, movement and a vigorous grace. One foot is placed before the other, with the leg bent at the knee, thrusting the weight of his body forward to create a sense of movement. The head, the torso and the lower body are often ingeniously inclined in different directions to simulate the postures of dance. In the background, there are usually musicians, especially drummers who pound out the accompanying rhythm."
(Grewal, Book of Ganesha, Delhi, 2009, pp.130-1.)

The sculpture particularly excels for its lithe modeling of the deity, whose paunch is nicely rounded without sagging. Meanwhile, his limbs appear athletic and nimbly poised, albeit shortened, as if the sculptor felt compelled to reconcile the textual prescriptions calling for a dwarfish god with a handsome visage. His regalia and attributes are also crisply defined, such as the tassels that dangle over his ears in high relief, the lotus roundel neatly within the palm of his hand in abhaya mudra, and the jewel at the center of his trunk which reaches over to pluck the topmost of a bowl of sweets. This joyful activity occurs below a pair of celestial garland bearers and a nice array of radishes.

Published
Souren Melikian, "A Giant Among Fairs Spreads Its Reach", in International Herald Tribune, Weekend Art Fairs, 16-17 March 2013, p.16.

Provenance
Collection of W. van Hoogstraten Fetlaar, the Netherlands, 1983-2011
Marcel Nies Oriental Art, Antwerp
Acquired from the above at TEFAF Maastricht, March 2011

Additional information

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