Ganesh Figurine

A small brass elephant. He has multiple arms and things in his hands and is sitting cross legged on a square stand.
Ganesh from the Eldon House collection

Country of Origin: India
Year: ca. 1895
Materials: Brass 

This figurine of the Hindu god Ganesh was likely purchased by the Harris Family during one of their trips to the popular brass markets in India in 1897. Collecting religious iconography from world religions was popular, though many Western travelers would not have understood the significance of these icons, using them as pieces of décor or for curiosity rather than worship.

Ganesh is a popular figure in the Hindu religion and has several stories surrounding his birth. One is that his mother Parvati brought him to life, and he was meant to guard her privacy against the god Shiva. A struggle between Shiva and Ganesh results in him losing his human head, which Shiva replaces with the head of an elephant. Ganesh often carries a number of objects in his hand including a piece of one of his tusks, and sweets

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.