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Seated Four-Armed Ganesha with Flaming Aureole
Tamil · 20th century
Details
| Country | IndiaMore about CountrySouth India, Tamil Nadu. |
|---|---|
| Tribe / Culture | TamilMore about Tribe / CultureMade in the Tamil Hindu tradition of South India, which follows the Chola bronze workshops of the Kaveri delta, with Swamimalai as a main centre. The seated pose, the lotus throne, the jewelled dress and the pierced flaming aureole are typical of this style. |
| Age / Period | 20th centuryMore about Age / PeriodProbably 20th century, to be confirmed. It follows the style of the Chola period (about 9th–13th century), the classic age of Indian bronze casting. |
Symbolism & Iconography
Ganesha removes obstacles and is honoured at the start of any undertaking. He sits on a lotus throne, a sign of purity, above a plinth decorated with small seated figures. One lower hand is raised in reassurance (abhaya mudra); the other is open, and his trunk curls towards it, as if for a sweet. The upper hands hold an axe (parashu), which cuts attachment, and a cobra-hooded attribute, probably a noose. The tall crown and the jewellery mark his divine rank, and the flaming aureole shows his protective power.
Aesthetic & Formal Analysis
A large, frontal figure with a strong presence. The warm gilded surface contrasts with the darker plinth, where traces of red and green paint remain on the lotus petals. The jewellery, the crown and the patterned trunk and ears are finely detailed. It suits a console or an entrance hall.
