Lot 194A
Southeast Asia, Cambodia, Khmer Empire, Angkor Period, ca. 12th century CE. A rare and reverent vision of divine rest, this inscribed Khmer sandstone stele presents the Hindu deity Ganesha reclining in serene abandon beneath a finely carved foliate torana. With four arms gracefully extended, Ganesha clasps ritual attributes in his hands - a round sweet (modaka), a broken tusk, a lotus wheel, and possibly a noose or axe - each a symbol of power, wisdom, and spiritual conquest. His trunk curls gently toward the lotus disk, while his rounded form is framed by elegant jewelry, sacred threads, and the sculpted rhythm of limbs in divine repose. This depiction aligns with Khmer devotional art that portrayed gods not in fierce conquest but in celestial ease - reminders of power paired with auspicious calm. Size: 4.3" L x 22.5" W x 46" H (10.9 cm x 57.2 cm x 116.8 cm); 52" H (132.1 cm) on included custom stand.
Carved from warm reddish sandstone, the panel's surface retains crisp detailing across the arch's vegetal scrolls and the deity's expressive features. The stele's upper register is filled with multiple lines of deeply incised Khmer script, executed in a style typical of the 11th to 13th century epigraphic tradition. The script likely records a donative inscription or land dedication, perhaps naming the benefactor who commissioned the image and the site of its enshrinement. Common across such records are formulaic invocations to Siva or Vishnu, appeals for merit, and declarations of sacred space - written in a blend of Sanskrit and Old Khmer.
The back of the stele remains undecorated, its surface worn smooth with time. The tapering tenon below suggests it was originally embedded in a temple courtyard or sacred precinct, serving either as a boundary marker (sima) or commemorative monument. The scalloped arch above Ganesha mirrors motifs seen at temples such as Banteay Srei and Preah Vihear, echoing the Khmer mastery of blending architectural rhythm with narrative grace. More than a devotional sculpture, this stele is a statement of cosmic order, where text, image, and ritual converge in stone. Ganesha, remover of obstacles and patron of wisdom, is here not in motion but in stillness - watching, dreaming, sanctifying.
Provenance: private Studio City, California, USA collection
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#194939
- Condition: Some chipping as shown, as well as nicks and abrasions commensurate with age. Otherwise, remarkably intact and excellent with impressive preservation of detail.
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