179 - STANDING KRISHNA PLAYING THE FLUTE INDIA 18TH CENTURY

STANDING KRISHNA PLAYING THE FLUTE INDIA 18TH CENTURY Dimensions: Height 15 cm Wide 7,5 cm Depth 5 cm Weight: 444 grams A lively bronze image of Krishna playing the flute, his body gently turned in the characteristic crossed-leg stance. Both hands are raised to his lips, while a tall crest crowns his head and elaborate ornaments and flowing garments accentuate the movement of the figure. At his feet, a group of small cattle gathers around the pedestal, creating a charming pastoral setting. The golden-toned metal retains darker areas in the recesses, with worn highlights bringing out the textures of the jewellery, clothing and animals. Krishna's flute is among the most evocative symbols of Vaishnava devotion. As the divine cowherd of Vrindavan, his music calls to the gopis and to all beings, expressing the irresistible attraction of the divine and the intimate love of bhakti. The animals at the base make that pastoral identity explicit, while the graceful pose lends the small bronze a sense of rhythm. The sculpture unites a familiar sacred subject with an appealingly detailed narrative base.