Untitled

Unknown

6th–7th century · Stucco with traces of color · Asian Art

This architectural fragment is one of a small group of early Ganesha images found around the important Silk Road trading center of Khotan in Central Asia. Meeting the worshipper’s gaze with expressive human eyes, it is clear this is no mere elephant, but a god. The presence of a Hindu deity in a mostly Buddhist kingdom reveals how the religion spread along trade routes. For travelers traversing the long and arduous Silk Road, how appropriate to pay homage to this remover of obstacles and bringer of wealth and abundance.

Artist

Unknown

Date

6th–7th century

Medium

Stucco with traces of color

Culture

China, Xinjiang, Pialma (75 km west of Khotan)

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1930