This Ganesha, at 9.5 cm in height, is larger than usual. Even otherwise it is an unusual Ganesha.

It appears to be single cast, the idol and base cast together. Ganesha is holding broken tusk, battle axe, noose and sweet meat in his hands, starting from lower right clockwise. Typical attributes that you see in South Indian Ganesha. His large belly and the way he is sitting letting his belly rests on the pedestal is charming. He is wearing a crown with an unusual design, stepped with concentric circles.

This type of base, pancharatha, with three protrusion or five steps on the front of the base,  is normally seen in sculptures from Eastern states (Bihar and Bengal) and that style dates back to Pala period (1th-12th century).

This combination of different iconological style suggests this Ganesha could be from Southern Deccan. Thanks to one of the fellow collectors,  DB.

The pancharatha base is not uncommon in South Indian sculptures. Prof Bhatt’s book on Studies in Tuluva History and Culture has several examples. Whereas South Indian features are uncommon among Eastern Indian bronzes, esp of Pala period.

The patina is deep and the surface is uneven. It is quite possible this bronze dates to Hoysala period, 11th -14th century.

The Ganesha below is a stone sculpture in the Belur temple premises. It is one of the pieces kept in the gallery and it is not in worship. The subject of this blog is shown next to it. Deciding whether this Ganesha in my collection, belongs to Hoysala period will need expert’s input.