Bronzes of Krishna are always delightful. This idol is no exception. Here we see Krishna holding butter balls in his hands, standing on the coiled body of a cobra.

The five heads of the cobra, called Ananta, are providing a protective cover over his head. Krishna is possibly the only god identified by the butter balls rather than by the Ayudhas (weapons).

Navaneetha Krishna, with a butter ball in his right hand, is more common. Idols with butter balls in both hands are rarer. This site has another example, a bit larger, of such Navaneetha Krishna.

Krishna’s belly is quite prominent, and it is almost adult-like. It is not unusual, though, for Krishna to be depicted with an adult face and toned body, rather than with features of a toddler or a young boy.

This idol is likely to have come from Tamil Nadu (copper-rich alloy, the incised patterns on the base and casting quality), and it is about 7 cm in height. It is a much-loved and worshipped idol. This may date to the eighteenth century.