{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O62356"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O62356/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2026PT4857/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2026PT4857/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2026PT4857","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2026PT4856","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2026PT4863","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AT7908","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019LX7872","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O62356/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O62356","accessionNumber":"IS.2-1951","objectType":"Figure","titles":[{"title":"Ganesha","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"Ganesha is the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati. He is represented here in a processional form that would accompany his parents during temple parades, although he would be carried on a separate palanquin.\r\n\r\n\r\nHere Ganesha stands in a relaxed posture with his hip flexed. In this four-armed form, he holds in his upper hands a noose (<i>pasa</i>) and elephant-goad (<i>ankusa</i>). While in his lower left hand he displays one of the delicacies that he enjoys, variously identified as wood-apple (<i>kapittha</i>) or sweetmeats, which he is about to take with his trunk. The fourth hand holds his broken tusk. The reason Ganesha has a broken tusk is explained in a variety of anecdotal stories, but its origins may lie in its resemblance to the plough, as this evokes his early role as a patron of agrarian activity. This role appears to have been displaced in the later medieval period by other functions, notably to serve as the patron and protector of those embarking on new ventures.\n\nThis sculpture is a good example of the masterful casting techniques of the Chola period (850-1267 A.D.).  It demonstrates the metalworkers’ use of subtle form, simple ornament and restrained surface decoration, along with minimal chased detail.\r\n\n Ganesha stands on a circular lotus-pedestal that has upright projections which could support an arched surround. ","physicalDescription":"This sculpture depicts Ganesha standing. He is shown here with four hands, and in each hand he holds a different object. In his upper left hand he holds a noose (<i>pasa</i>), and in the upper right hand the remains of an <i>ankusa </i>or elephant-goad. The upper portion of the <i>ankusa </i>has broken away and is presently missing. Ganesha's trunk hovers above his lower left hand, which holds a wood-apple (<i>kapittha</i>). While in his lower right hand, he grasps onto his broken tusk.  \n\nGanesha wears a coronet (<i>karanda makuta</i>), a waistcloth with a girdle, the sacred thread, a waistband, a broad necklace, <i>keyura </i>armlets, and <i>padasaras</i> (anklets).His long tresses of hair hang down his back. The Chola origin of this figure is determined by certain stylistic characteristics that include his projecting ears and low coronet, as well as the simplicity of its ornamentation, absence of chasing and comparatively smooth features. \n\nThe figure stands on a circular lotus-pedestal from which upright projections can be seen, their purpose was to support and hold in place an arched surround.\r\n","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Copper alloy","id":"AAT10942"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Copper alloy","categories":[{"text":"Sculpture","id":"THES48896"},{"text":"Hinduism","id":"THES48941"}],"styles":[{"text":"Chola","id":"AAT18913"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2026PT4857","2026PT4856","2026PT4863","2006AT7908","2019LX7872"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"001","id":"THES404219"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Figure","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Tamil Nadu","id":"x29843"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"11th century-12th century","earliest":"1000-01-01","latest":"1200-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"31","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"18","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"13","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Purchased in 1950 from C. G. Copper Esq of Glenhurst Rise, London, SE19.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Standing Ganesha made from copper alloy. This sculpture was produced between the 11th-12th century in Tanjavur, south India.  ","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"L'escultura en el temples indis : l'art de la devoció : exposició organitzada per la Fundació \"La Caixa\" i el Victoria & Albert Museum, Londres. [Barcelona: Obra social, Fundació \"la Caixa\", c2007 Number: 9788476649466","id":"AUTH339669"},"details":"p.204, Cat. 160","free":""}],"production":"Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu, South India","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[{"text":"Ganesh","id":"N740"}],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[{"text":"Hinduism","id":"AAT73727"}],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"3. Ganesha\r\n1000–1200\r\nChola period\r\nThe god Ganesha is propitiated before the beginning of a\r\nventure. His round belly reflects his fondness for sweetmeats.\r\nOne legend says that the goddess Parvati created him, but\r\nwhen her husband Shiva returned he mistook Ganesha for\r\na rival and beheaded him. He promised to replace Ganesha’s\r\nhead with the first animal to come along, which was an\r\nelephant.\r\nCopper alloy\r\nSouthern India (Tamil Nadu)\r\nMuseum no. IS.2-1951","date":{"text":"06/06/2011","earliest":"2011-06-06","latest":"2011-06-06"}},{"text":"GANESHA\r\nBronze\r\nThanjavur, South India\r\nCola style\r\n11th-12th century\r\nIS.2-1951","date":{"text":"ca.1988-2009","earliest":"1983-01-01","latest":"2009-12-31"}}],"partNumbers":["IS.2-1951"],"accessionNumberNum":"2","accessionNumberPrefix":"IS","accessionYear":1951,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LP5219","2019LT6257","2019LU6967"],"recordModificationDate":"2026-09-07","recordCreationDate":"2001-08-30","availableToBook":false}}