Hindu God Ganesha has been represented with the head of an elephant since the early stages of his appearance in Indian art. Ganapati or Ganesha, the Lord of Ganas, the elephant faced God, represents the power of the Supreme Being that removes obstacles and ensures success in human endeavors. He is worshipped for siddhi, success in undertakings, and buddhi, intelligence. He is worshipped before any venture is started. He is also the God of education, knowledge and wisdom, literature, and the fine arts.
Brass sculptures are cheaper replicas of bronze statues made by the artisans of Tanjore in Tamil Nadu in south India. Since bronze sculptures, made through lost wax are very expensive, artisans of north India (Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh) began to make cheaper versions in brass for more price conscious customers. These brass statues aren't as elegant as the ones in bronze, but they are priced three times cheaper and many people buy them as good decorative pieces instead of buying them as collectibles.
