BronzeIndia , 18th centuryDimensions: Height 36 cmWeight: 3735 gramsA large ritual vessel from India with a round foot, expanding in the top. In the center is a domed, bell-shaped throne with a seated Ganesha in royal ease pose. The son of Shiva and Parvati here has four arms, two raised at the back holding attributes like a noose, broken tusk or battle axe and a bowl of sweets. Remains of a beaded aureole can be seen on his sides. The big belly is portruding underneath his trunk reaching for the sweets. The sacred thread is spanning over the big belly which contains the entire cosmos. His face is additionally highlighted with ornamental shapes along the trunk, eyes and forehead. A conical crown is on his head. A grande open-work arch reaches from one end of the vessel's lip to the other, creating a large aureole around the remover of obstacles. The open-work is beautifully crafted with beaded or droplet lines and floral shapes. Two small peacocks flank the horrid face of a makara in the center top, who are guardians of gateways or temples.