Indian Pilgrimage Figure of Kneeling Krishna

A crawling child with a topknot, one fist stretched out in front, and a very serious look.

This pilgrimage figure of kneeling Krishna is from Maharashtra, India, dates to the 16th to 17th century or earlier, and is made of brass. Krishna is often depicted as a crawling infant in Hindu devotional art, and small metal figures like this are generally made for private worship. The figure here is on hands and knees, one arm reaching forward with a closed fist. A high, coiled topknot rises above a smooth face with a pierced ear. Bands of incised jewelry run across the chest and arm. The metal is a deep, glossy brown. It is 1.25 inches wide, 1.75 deep and 1.5 high.

A small child with a large reputation.