Trying to identify an ancient statue

[ahmy]

Hi

I am trying to identify a statue that has been recently found by a friend of mine in the mediterranean cost the statue was found on the beach probably an overthrown deep sea. Which civilization is this statue associated? Does this statue have a name?



Thanks

 

[DCMatt]

The pictures are too small to show enough detail for a proper identification.

Also please put something near the piece to show the size.

DCMatt

 

[ahmy]

more pictures, its a size of a hand


1386707152df.jpg - imgup.net

09348593401a9.jpg - imgup.net

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

I think it is from India.

 

[PaddyB]

Certainly looks Indian to me. Ganesh, one of the Hindu Deities, is often depicted in the form of an Elephant, but I think in this case the deity stood on top of the elephants.

This wikipedia page is a start: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_deities

Have you worked out the material? It looks soapstone from the sheen on it - how hard is it? If it is soapstone it could not have been on the beach for long as it would have eroded very quickly.

 

[Hitndahed]

Nephrite,,, Jade possibly ?
Definitely looks like Gnesh,,

 

[bradyboy]

Base looks its in the form of an elephant - India ?
Brady

 

[DCMatt]

Three elephant heads with humans on top. I don't think Ganesh.

Maybe Erawan?

 

[Mackaydon]

[FONT=Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif][FONT=verdana, geneva]Airavatais the name of the sacred white elephant belonging to Indra. Airavatais the king of elephants.[/FONT][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif][FONT=verdana, geneva]Elephantsare associated with rain and water. [/FONT][/FONT]Airavatais often just called “The elephant of the clouds”. It isAiravata who controls the rain clouds. In Thailand Airavata elephant is called Erawan. Erawan is most often shown as an elephant with three heads. Maybe the statue is Thai.
Don.....