Possibly Krishna; India, 19th century.

Possibly Krishna; India, 19th century.
Patinated bronze.
Measurements: 13 x 8 x 5 cm.
Bronze statue representing the Hindu god Krishna. This deity is one of the most revered and popular in Hinduism, considered the eighth avatar of Vishnu and a supreme god in his own right. The story of Krishna and the Kaliya snake narrates how the god Krishna defeated the monstrous poisonous snake that terrorized the Yamuna River. Krishna subjugated it by dancing on its many heads until the serpent gave up and agreed to leave the river, restoring the purity of its waters and showing the triumph of good over evil.
The treatment of the bronze reveals meticulous and devotional work, with a patina that evidences the passage of time and ritual use. More than a simple ornamental piece, this sculpture was conceived as an object of domestic worship, intended to encourage meditation and spiritual recollection.