South Indian Bronze Image of the Infant Krishna Dancing

This small, solid cast bronze image of the infant Krishna stands with his left foot on a tiered pedestal, his right foot is poised to dance, and his left arm is raised in gaja mudra. The right hand holds a butterball (after having raided his mother’s larder, according to legend.)

The image’s body is naked other than for items of cast jewellery including prominent ear ornaments.

Krishna also wears a tiered hair ornament or hair bun.

This dynamically cast piece has soft contours from time and puja use, and a dark patina commensurate with its age.