Ganesha, sculpture collection Rijksmuseum

Ganesha, with the head of an elephant, is the son of the Hindu deity Shiva. He holds prayer beads in his right upper hand, while his trunk bends downwards to grasp some treats from a small bowl. The axe in his upper left arm refers to his role as a remover of obstacles. Ganesha not only solves practical problems, but also eases the journey to the afterlife.