Carved as Ganesha seated on a rectangular base with the legs crossed in a meditative pose, dressed in a pleated dhoti, his right holding his broken tusk, the trunk curled to sample from the sweets held in his left hand.

Provenance: Sandstone Antiques, Bangkok, 1997. A private collection, Hyde Park Square, London, acquired from the above. A copy of a stamped certificate with an old photograph of the present lot from Sandstone Antiques, dated 19 July 1997, accompanies this lot.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, signs of weathering and erosion, losses, soil encrustations, structural cracks, and small nicks. The sandstone with a rich, naturally grown patina.

Weight: 115.6 kg (incl. base)
Dimensions: Height 64 cm (excl. base), 76 cm (incl. base)

Mounted to a modern base. (2)

Recent archaeological attention to proto-historic societies in peninsular and northeastern Thailand as well as southern Vietnam illustrates that these 'late pre-historic' societies were more involved with international trade than previously assumed. These pre-Angkor societies covered much of what is known today as Thailand, southern China, Laos, and southern Vietnam. Ganesha, the Hindu deity revered as the Remover of Obstacles and a God of Success, was held in great importance in terms of everyday existence throughout this region. He was venerated before turning to other gods, thus removing potential obstacles between the worshiper and the divine. In these regions of Southeast Asia, Ganesha had a more independent status than in India, with his images often housed in separate temples as primary icons of worship.

Expert’s note: Pre-Angkorian depictions of Ganesha are extremely rare. Certain aspects of the current lot show a clear evolution from the earliest depictions, such as the Mathura Ganesha offered by Christie’s, New York, 16 September 2008, lot 352. Note the enlarged proportions of the top of the head and manner in which the back of the head and ears were carved. There is clear stylistic influence in the current lot from early Indian examples that predate others dated to the pre-Angkor style. The evolution is clearly evident when looking at later Cambodian examples dated to the 9th century, such as with the Khmer Ganesha offered by Christie’s, New York, 22 March 2011, lot 476, which almost has a watered-down appearance of the Indian characteristics that were once so prominent.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 22 March 2011, lot 476
Price: USD 43,750 or approx. EUR 70,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A stone figure of Ganesha, Khmer, pre-Angkor, circa 9th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving with similar pose and base. Note the closely related size (68.6 cm) and the strong weathering.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s Amsterdam, 10 May 2000, lot 470
Price: NLG 42,127 or approx. EUR 32,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A pre-Khmer sandstone figure of Ganesha, 8^th/9^th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving with similar pose, sampot, and base. Note the loss to the right hand, the much smaller size (50 cm), and the strong weathering.