67. 67W STÈLE DE GANESHA DANSANT EN GRÈS ROUGE INDE DU NORD, VERS XIE SIECLE 75 cm (29 1/2 in.) high A RED SANDSTONE STELE OF DANCING GANESHA NORTH INDIA, CIRCA 11TH CENTURY 印度北部 約十一世紀 紅砂岩象神石碑 Provenance: With Claude de Marteau, New York, by 1967 The mischievous elephant-headed god Ganesha can clear (or create) obstacles, and is therefore propitiated before the start of almost any undertaking. His body moves in kinetic ecstasy, shifting from one foot to the other in a limber sway. Full-bodied hips swing, as he rejoices gleefully holding a bowl of sweets, while two dancers flanking his heels mirror Ganesha's rhythmic portrayal. He wears a garland crown and carries a cobra as a trophy in his upper pair of arms. As the remover of obstacles, he wields the battle-axe and hooked goad as weapons to ward off adversities. Tales of the origins and appearance of Ganesha vary, but most describe him as having been created a boy by his mother Parvati from the residue of her bathwater. Once manifest, she placed him as sentry to her bath chamber. Shortly thereafter, Parvati's husband Shiva appeared, demanding entry. When Ganesha refused the stranger's request, Shiva removed his head. Parvati insisted Shiva restore Ganesha's head immediately. The first available head was that of an elephant, which was expediently placed atop the young man's body, thus forming the unique appearance of this beloved deity. Compare with an example in the Rubin Museum of Art (C2004.14.4) where Ganesha's middle right hand is drawn back to his chest. Also compare with a related multi-armed figure of Ganesha in the James W. and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection, Pal, A Collecting Odyssey, 1997, p. 60 and 287, cat. no. 70.