Fragment of a sculpture depicting Dancing Ganesha Sandstone sculpture fragment showing Ganesha dancing, standing on one bent leg. The figure is in a dynamic pose, holding a serpent above his head with two of his six arms. In one hand he carries an axe, and in another a tray of sweets. His rounded belly protrudes above a dhoti, which is wrapped with the Naga serpent. On either side of his head are faintly visible two figures, likely attendants or musicians. India, probably Madhya Pradesh, 10th -11th century (33 x 43 cm) (defects and losses) Ganesha, the beloved and mischievous elephant-headed god of the Hindu pantheon, is venerated as the Lord of Beginnings and the Remover of Obstacles. Tales of Ganesha’s origin vary, but in most accounts, he is described as a child created by his mother Parvati from the residue of her bathwater. She placed him as a guard at the entrance to her bath chamber. When Shiva arrived and Ganesha denied him entry, Shiva beheaded him. Parvati pleaded with Shiva to restore the boy, and the first available head—an elephant’s—was promptly placed on the body, giving Ganesha his unique appearance. He is worshipped throughout India at the beginning of journeys or new ventures, and for this reason, he is often the first deity encountered in large temple complexes, where he is honored with a variety of offerings. He is typically represented with a broken tusk, as he is said to have broken it off to use as a pen to transcribe the Mahabharata, dictated by the great sage Vyasa. Provenance: Private collection, Milan