A really lovely cast bronze figure of the baby Krishna. This good-sized and well cast image depicts Krishna as a crawling infant. He holds a butter ball (or more precisely a butter stick) in his right hand. (It might also be a mango – these were sometimes put in place of the butter ball in South India.) He is naked other than for his headdress, a chest band, a waist band, necklaces, and earrings, and other jewellery.
The tall, distinctive headdress is unique to Tamil Nadu and is of a type that forms part of the costume for the Kathakali dancers of Kerala. The headdress here is cast with a beautiful floral design to the top. In good condition with a wonderful colour and patina. He has part of his left hand missing. He dates from the 18th century or may be a bit earlier. 7cms tall and 7cms long. 2 3/4 inches tall and 2 3/4 inches long. Formally the property of a British Diplomat.