This bronze is infant Krishna, holding a ball of butter,  crawling to escape his foster mother Yasodha. This theme is very popular throughout India and most of the bronzes of this type are small as they are meant for home shrines. It is almost a must for Vaishnavites (Hindu’s who worship primarily Vishnu) to have one of this image on their altar.

As usual, the ornamentation is complete, head, neck, ears, shoulders, back, arms, wrist, waist and ankles. Krishna is naked but for the ornaments. The tall hairdo is typical of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The patination is deep and the features, see the nose, are sharp. Normally Krishna is chubby. But not this one. The body is surprisingly toned.

The main pendulous necklace is a feature that got added after the 16th century, according to Pratapaditya Pal, Indian Sculptures, Volume II.

The bronzes height is about 8 cm and its length is about 7.5 cm. This is probably from the 17th/18th century. Origin may be Tamil Nadu.

Take time to look at the face and the hairdo.