Indian Terracotta Sculpture of Krishna

This serene sculpture of a Krishna was made in India during the 16th century AD. This figure shows distinctive features of Krishna – the peacock feather on his headdress, and the flute-playing posture. Krishna is conventionally depicted, with his right leg crossed across the left. The body is draped in a long and diaphanous tunic with a very ornate front. There is also extensive jewellery, on the arms, chest and in the onately coiffed hair. The face is beautifully rendered, and exceptionally expressive. It is a highly ornate carving, and thus predates the Mughal – Islamic – colonisation which is characterised by less figurative pieces. – (RP.008)