Antique Thai Style Bronze Kneeling Ganesha Statue - 31cm/12"

Measures - (Height) 31cm/12"

An antique Thai style bronze seated Ganesha. The distinctive patina of the piece is particularly delightful.

Ganesha is the elephant headed son of Shiva. He holds his broken tusk in one hand and a conch shell in the other.

The conch shell is well-recognised today as the musical instrument of war, with movie characters always seeming to be well seasoned players of its booming notes – it is only a shame that conductors fail to recognise its place in the modern orchestra. However, our association with the conch and war are not misplaced, as ancient Indians used to blow the shell to indicate the commence of any conflict, religious rites or event. The conch therefore symbolises victory and accomplishment. When Ganesha is depicted holding a conch it thus demonstrates his encouragement of triumph in war and fulfilment in life.

His other hand depicts Ganesha holding the remnants of his broken tusk. The breaking of the tusk has several backstories. One instance suggests that it was shattered when Shiva cut the head off the elephant, prior to bestowing it onto Ganesha. Another writes that Ganesha’s quill broke and he needed a writing instrument – try telling your boss that next time you try to write up a report with an elephant tusk because your computer crashed. Regardless of its multiple origins, the holding of the tusk represents less of a keepsake, and more of a depiction that our spirituality is more important than our outer bodies, meaning we must overcome the duality of the two as separate entities.

The direction of Ganesha's trunk has symbolic meaning. Here the trunk turns to Ganesha's right. This signifies the direction for success in the world. It is a position associated with grihastas, or householders.

In his early forms in India, Ganesha was associated with fertility. Later he became widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles and more generally as Lord of Beginnings and Lord of Obstacles, patron of arts and sciences and the deity of intellect and wisdom.

One of the most recognizable of the Asian deities this representation of Ganesha is sure to enlighten your home with endlessly timeless style.

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The conch shell is well-recognised today as the musical instrument of war, with movie characters always seeming to be well seasoned players of its booming notes – it is only a shame that conductors fail to recognise its place in the modern orchestra. However, our association with the conch and war are not misplaced, as ancient Indians used to blow the shell to indicate the commence of any conflict, religious rites or event. The conch therefore symbolises victory and accomplishment. When Ganesha is depicted holding a conch it thus demonstrates his encouragement of triumph in war and fulfilment in life. His other hand depicts Ganesha holding the remnants of his broken tusk. The breaking of the tusk has several backstories. One instance suggests that it was shattered when Shiva cut the head o