Sacred Ganesha and the Silver Mushika

A Ganesha, intricately formed and designed from a single piece of burl wood, features a head, ears, hands, and legs forged from sterling silver, with jade-studded eyes. His headband, adorned with turquoise and red coral, is crafted from sterling silver with gold leaf. The trunk is partially made of sterling silver. The lord is adorned with a prayer bead necklace, a bracelet, and a gold leaf sterling silver anklet. He stands on a ‘Mushika’ (rat), set atop a black granite stand.

Mushika, the rat, holds significant mythological importance in various ancient Indian kingdoms. It is believed that Lord Ganesha, known as the Destroyer of Obstacles, uses the mouse as his vehicle to navigate the nooks and corners of the world. The mouse, capable of slithering through tiny holes and narrow pathways, even in the darkness of night, symbolizes Ganesha's all-pervasive nature. This association with Mushika highlights Ganesha's ability to overcome obstacles and reach every corner of the universe to perform his divine duties.

Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, is revered for his elephant head and symbolism. Created by Goddess Parvati, his head was replaced by an elephant's after an encounter with Lord Shiva. Ganesha's mouse vehicle, Mushika, symbolizes his ability to navigate all obstacles, emphasizing his all-pervasive nature and wisdom. The reverence for Ganesha transcends cultural and geographical boundaries
 
LAdV's mythology collection emerges from a playful imagination and the technical expertise of blending raw materials with organic shapes inspired by nature. Drawing from Asian history and culture, specifically Lord Ganesha from India, these labor-intensive masterpieces embody a spirit of discovery and curiosity about the natural world. They are one-of-a-kind works of art that bring the realms of dreams and myths into our everyday lives.

Rolf von Bueren, an avid burl wood collector for over 40 years, personally travels to Japan to seek out rare and beautiful pieces of burl wood. Some he keeps, some he shares with his collector friends, and some he uses in LAdV designs. Burl wood results in uniquely patterned wood that is highly prized for its beauty. It is valued and sought after by artists, furniture makers, and sculptors. The "wild grain" in burl makes the wood extremely dense and resistant to splitting, which is why it is valued for bowls, artifacts, and sculptures. The rarity and natural beauty of burl wood make it a prized material for creating exquisite and one-of-a-kind designs. Burl wood is also a popular material in many auction houses across the world.
 
It took 8 master craftsmen with a combined production time of 3 months to complete the Ganesha. From imagining its unique design, sculpting its shape, carving the wood, to employing a silver smith, great thought and care has gone into creating this timeless art piece.

Size: 35(W) x 43(L) x 72(H) cm.
Weight: 12.8 kg.