Lot 39
39
A bronze figure of Krishna
A bronze figure of Krishna

SOUTH INDIA, TAMIL NADU, CIRCA 17TH CENTURY

Details
A bronze figure of Krishna
South India, Tamil Nadu, circa 17th Century
The dancing Krishna on a lotus base above a waisted square plinth, his right foot raised atop a padma, holding a ball of butter in his right hand and with his left arm gracefully extended, wearing a waist-band with pendent jewels, his face with a benign expression with large almond-shaped eyes, his hair tied in a topknot with sashes billowing down the sides, the bronze with an attractive dark brown patina
15.7/8 in. (40.4 cm.) high

Lot Essay

While Shiva's dance is that of an adult and has cosmic significance, Krishna is always depicted as a boy when dancing, mostly in an expression of joy after successfully raiding his mother's larder and thus holding a prized ball of butter.