BRONZE AGE ARTEFACTS
IN THAILAND

Ganesha

Sri Lanka

Origin: unknown
size: inches 3.5 (9 cm)
Provenance: Private aquisition, Colombo 1981

Anuradhnapura is situated about 120 miles north of Colombo. It was founded in the 4th century B.C and it was the capital of the Anuradhapura Kingdom until the beginning of the 11th century A.D. The city was considered sacred to the Buddhists was a long time but it was of great importance for the Hindus too.

This small statue made of elephant bone – not of ivory – shows Ganesha, one of the most popular folk deities in Hinduism. Ganesha is the son of the God Shiva and Paravati.  The statue is a fine example of the art of Anuradhnapura. Unfortunately there is no clue to narrow down the time when it was carved.