Large Bronze Radha with Lacquer & Inlay, Maharashtra, India, 18th-19th century

Large Bronze Radha with Lacquer & Inlay

India, probably Karnataka or Maharashtra

18th-19th century

height: 48cm, width: 19cm, depth: 14.3cm

This splendid, tall and elegant cast bronze image of Radha, the consort of Krishna, is from either Maharashtra state in India, the state that incorporates Mumbai (Bombay), or nearby Karnataka state.

It is a superb item with a deep, chocolate brown patina and traces of polychrome. The eyes are particularly striking and comprise hardened wax. The image also retains remnants of read and black lacquer or polychrome.

Radha wears a long, striped dohti, with a pleat down the middle, a floral bodice and necklaces, bangles and anklets. She has large floral earrings and her hair is tightly pulled back with a long, thin pony tail at the back.

The figure of Radha has been cast separately to the base – the figure of the goddess stands on a plaque and this slides into the base. This is a common arrangement among Karnataka bronzes.

The image is in excellent condition.

References

Aditi, Festival of India, Barbican Centre, London, UK, 1982.

Provenance

UK art market

Inventory no.: 3889

SOLD