Dimensions: 20.5 inch x 10.5 inch x 10.5 inch39 inch - Chain Length HinduBrass StatueThis brass artefact represents a delightful combination of two highly auspicious symbols immensely revered in Indian theology, art and day-today life. The artefact comprises the image of dancing Ganapati mounting a large size bell and a decorative chain with 39" length attached to it. The bell with a 9" height and 10.5" diameter serves as the pedestal for enshrining the dancing deity. The Ganapati image is 11" tall. The chain holds the bell and the Ganapati image by a ring rising from the apex of the deity's crown. The chain consists of ten loops, each comprising the inverted lotuses, smaller one below and larger one above, and two squarish rings appended to it on both ends. Bells, as also lamps and other auspicious articles suspending with a chain, had emerged as a decorative element in Indian cave art right since Gupta period but it had greater thrust subsequently in temple architecture such as at Khajuraho. Faades of many temples were carved completely with bell and chain motifs. The so far known earliest example of the detached metal chain with lamp, datable to the eighth century, is from Jageshvari caves, Bombay. The artefact, now in the collection of the Prince of Wales Museum, Bombay, is in Early Western Chalukya character. Most of the Hindu temples ancient, medieval and contemporary, and even cities, forts, castles and private houses have the image of Ganapati on the lintels of their main entrances, as Ganapati is believed to keep calamities, detriments and evil away. The Ganesh-pol, gate, at the Amer fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan is globally known for its great magnificence and unique artistic quality and that at Gwalior fort for its massive structure. In Indian ritual practices, Ganapati is invoked before a rite is begun so that it is perf