Sth. Indian 18-19th C depiction – Krishna Venugopala
Sth. Indian 18-19th C depiction – Krishna Venugopala
Sth. Indian 18-19th C depiction – Krishna Venugopala standing on a double lotus pedestal with flute. The base in a copper alloy is marked with a double vajra. The Krishna statue is seen here with a mark on his forehead in the shape of a the letter U, a sacred symbol in Hinduism used by the Vaishnavism sect, who are followers of Vishnu.
Krishna is the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu and is one of the most popular, loved and revered deities in Hinduism.
The U shape on the forehead represents Purna Purushottama the shape of Vishnu’s lotus feet, referred to as Urdhva Pundra tilak the mark placed on the forehead. (pundra means lotus).
SPECIFICATIONS:
Sth. Indian 18-19th C depiction – Krishna Venugopala
Each year between August and September the Hindu festival Krishna Janmashtam celebrates the birth of Krishna, it is an important festival for those who practice Vaishnavism with fasting, devotional singing, mantras and ceremonies of bathing and adorning the ‘Baal Gopal’ or the infant form of Lord Krishna, to honour the actual moment of his birth at midnight, the time in which he is believed to have been born.
The next day the fast is broken and the festivities begin, with eating, dancing and re-enactments of the life of Krishna. This festival is also an annual event in many parts of India and other countries such as Malaysia and Singapore where there is a sizeable Hindu population.
Hinduism is thought to have originated approximately 4,000 years ago In India’s Indus Valley, from there it spread into Nepal, and is today it is Nepal’s main religion with more than 80% identifying as Hindu, followed by a minority of people practicing Buddhism and Islam, with a smaller minority practicing Sikhism, Jainism and Christianity.
Vaishnavism is sometimes described as “monotheistic,” since Hindu’s considers Vishnu to be the supreme god, however, this sect of Hinduism believes in other gods and deities, such as Shiva, Kali and many more.
The Nepali flag with a double triangle is believed to be given to the people by Lord Vishnu, it shows one triangle with a crescent moon with the sun rising and the other triangle showing a sun.
This Krishna statue was purchased in Singapore and has been part of our personal collection for over fifty years; we believe it to be dating to the 18th century but could be earlier. This little statue has been well loved and kept in a protected environment for the period we have had it, all age-related wear was evident when we acquired it.
While Krishna is a central figure in Indian Vaishnavism, this specific aesthetic—particularly the jewelry and the base—points toward a South Indian origin, specifically within the Tamil Nadu or Karnataka bronze casting traditions.
Key Identification Markers
The Tilaka: There is a distinct U-shaped Vaishnava Tilaka on the forehead. This is a classic indicator of South Indian Vaishnavism, marking him specifically as a follower or representative of the Vishnu lineage.
Jewelry and Attire: The thick, rounded anklets (padasaras) and the ornate, beaded hip-belt (mekhala) with dangling tassels are very characteristic of the late Vijayanagara or post-Vijayanagara (Nayak) styles found in South India.
The Posture: He is standing in the traditional tribhanga (three-bend) pose, with his right leg crossed over his left and toes touching the ground, perfectly balanced for playing the flute.
The Base: He stands on a circular Padmasana (lotus base). The specific “beaded” or “ribbed” texture of the lotus petals on this pedestal is a common feature in late-period Indian bronzes.
