Ganesha, Orissa, India

Statuette of Ganesh represented with four arms, copper alloy, India, Orissa (Odisha), 17th century.
Dimensions: H 8.5 cm x W 5 cm x D 4 cm
Weight: 354 grams

Ganesha's four arms represent his ability to act simultaneously in all directions. His trunk is turned to his left (Vamamukhi Ganesha), associated with gentleness and benevolence, with a cult oriented towards success in everyday life. He holds 4 attributes:

an elephant goad (ankusha), used to direct wisdom and mind control.
A spherical object, a modaka (an Indian sweet), symbolizing the reward of spiritual effort and the sweetness of wisdom.
A noose or lasso (pasha) that enables him to capture and tame human desires, guiding his devotees along the right path.
In his right hand, the rest of his broken tusk:According to the most widespread legend, the sage Vyasa was to dictate the epic Mahabharata, and he needed a swift, intelligent scribe. Ganesha agreed, but on one condition: Vyasa was never to stop talking.in the middle of the story, the quill Ganesha was using broke. So as not to interrupt his writing, he broke off one of his tusks and used it as a stylus to complete the transcription. This act symbolizes self-sacrifice for knowledge and wisdom.

In his first appearances in India, Ganesh was associated with fertility. Later, he was widely venerated as the Lord of Beginnings and Destroyer of Obstacles, as well as the patron of the arts and sciences, and the deity of intellect and wisdom.

Provenance: Estate of Asian art dealer and collector Claude de Marteau
Sold with certificate of provenance.
See this Ganesh Orissa statue in full screen mode on Vintage Addict

Ref: NTD7QVTWOD