A BUFF SANDSTONE FIGURE OF DANCING GANESHA, MAHAGANAPATI, 10TH CENTURY Central India. Carved as a dancing Ganesha with his right leg raised, the trunk curling playfully to his left, holding a battle ax and prayer beads in his right hands, and a flower with leaves in his upper left hand, a bowl filled with sweets next to his foot, a naga wrapped around his belly.

Published: Kitty Higgins Far Eastern Art, Indian Stone Sculpture, Washington, 1989, no. 13.
Provenance: Kitty Higgins Far Eastern Art, Inc., Washington, D.C., USA, 1994. A copy of the receipt from Kitty Higgins, dated 11 February 1994, and stating a purchase price of USD 6,400 or approx. EUR 12,500 (converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing), and a copy of a letter of appraisal signed by Kitty Higgins and dated 29 October 1994, accompany this lot. Kitty Higgins is a Far Eastern Art expert and owner of a notable gallery in Washington, D.C. She also curated and lectured many exhibitions, and is an avid collector.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, signs of weathering and erosion, minor losses, encrustations, nicks, scratches, few structural cracks.

Dimensions: Size 58.5 x 36 cm

Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, is known as the giver of counsel and remover of obstacles for humans and deities alike. Although his elephant-headed form lends a playful quality, Ganesha's significance is profound. As overseer of the relationship between past, present, and future, Ganesha maintains balance in the universe. He is typically worshipped at the beginning of rituals. Known in India for his youthful cleverness and predilection for pranks, Ganesha is frequently depicted dancing or standing in tribhanga.

The figure here is represented as Mahaganapati, or the dancing Ganesha. With his hips swayed and his right foot slightly raised, his pose echoes that of his father's dancing form, Shiva Nataraja. Ganesha's dance, however, has a childlike quality that contrasts with the cosmic destruction of Shiva's Nataraja form. With his dance, Ganesha carries away all obstacles, his rotund belly reinforces his powers to shower his devotees with abundance.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 20 March 2019, lot 645
Price: USD 50,000 or approx. EUR 57,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A red sandstone stele of dancing Ganesha, Central India, 10th-11th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related pose, implements, and color of the stone, as well as the similar size (62.2 cm)