A SMALL BRONZE FIGURE OF GANESHA, SOUTH INDIA, 17TH - 18TH CENTURYDepicting Ganesha seated in royal ease on a high throne finely incised with lotus leaves, a rat perched on the bottom rim. Ganesha is eating a ladoo ball, his head is surmounted by a ribbed hat, with a naga necklace hanging down his belly, his four arms holding prayer beads, a second ladoo ball, and two sticks.Provenance: Peter Sloane, London, United Kingdom, 15 June 2001. The late Joost Slingerland, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, acquired from the above. A copy of the original invoice from Peter Sloane, where the piece is described as a “19th century Indian bronze Ganesh”, apanies this lot.Condition: Very good condition with minor old wear, few small nicks here and there, and some casting irregularities. Fine, naturally grown patina overall.Weight: 332.9 gDimensions: Height 7.6 cmExpert’s note: Despite the fact that Peter Sloane has dated this piece to the 19th century, maybe a bit too cautiously, it is this author’s firm belief that the present lot dates from a significantly earlier time. The quite massive casting, note the heavy weight of 333 gramspared to the rather small size of 7.6 cm, the simple yet elaborate depiction of the subject, and the solid patina all speak clearly for an age of at least 250-300 years.Auction resultparison:Type: RelatedAuction: New York, 23 July 2020, lot 802Price: USD 10,075 or approx.EUR 11,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A copper alloy figure of Ganesh, Kerala, circa 16th centuryExpert remark:pare the related motif, pose, and size (8.5 cm). Note the earlier date.Auction resultparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Christie’s New York, 20 March 2019, lot 635Price: USD 6,875 or approx.EUR 7,600 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A small bronze figure of Ganesh, South India, 17th-18th centuryExpert remark:pare the related motif and pose. Note the slightly larger size (9.2 cm).