GROUP in dark pink sandstone, representing the elephant-headed god Ganesha, in one of his Shakti-Ganesha forms, possibly Utishtha (or Uchchhista) Ganapathi, with four arms, the two right ones of which are visible and hold an attribute. The god is shown standing, his shakti against his left side, with two columns framing them, which probably supported an arcature. (The upper part of the sculpture is missing). Western India, 11th-12th centuries. A PINK SANDSTONE FIGURE OF SHAKTI-GANAPATHI WITH CONSORT, WESTERN INDIA, 11TH -12TH CENTURIES. HEIGHT. 42 CM (16 9/16 IN.) - WIDTH 25 CM (9 13/16 IN.) NOTE Iconography in which Ganesha is represented with his shakti confers on the god, in addition to his nature as protector, guardian of homes and capable of overcoming all obstacles, a quality of harmonising masculine and feminine forces in the universe. However, it is rare to see the two divinities depicted standing side by side. In the forms of Shakti-Ganesha (or Shakti-Ganapathi), Ganesha is most often seated in meditation, his little goddess on his left knee.