A Chola bronze figure of Krishna or Sambandar, 12th century, South India

At first glance, this lively young dancing boy could be either the saint Sambandar or the young Krishna (a descendant of Vishnu). Sambandar is traditionally depicted with the index finger of his right hand pointing upwards. This gesture is explained by the story of the child's visit to a temple; when found by his father to be enjoying milk, the boy pointed to a sculpture of Parvati as being the source of the divine sustenance.

Krishna is also sometimes depicted in almost identical pose - his left arm extended to the side, one leg bent with the foot firmly planted on a lotus pedestal, and the other leg raised. However, Krishna seems always to be depicted with his right leg raised, as in this bronze figure - whereas Sambandar is traditionally depicted with raised left leg. Krishna's right hand is often sculpted in abhaya hasta (signifying assurance and protection) but also exists with the finger pointing gesture. It seems likely, therefore, that this is the young dancing Krishna. Both subjects remain highly popular icons.

The modelling is lively and fluid, and renders a sense of grace, movement and playfulness. The dancing figure is almost naked - apart from an ornamentation of kinkini sara (a girdle of bells), necklaces, sacred cord, armbands, anklets, finger rings, earrings and siraschakra, or lotus flower, that adorns the back of the head; his headdress is in the form of a tall jata-mukuta. The tiered integral square base beneath the lotus pedestal has two carrying rings to each side.

Height: 18"

Provenance: Old French Collection

Similar examples: 'Sculptures indiennes du musee Guimet' (part of the 'Tresors du musee Guimet' series) by Amina Okada, published by the Reunion des musees nationaux, 2000 - pages 211 & 212.

'Cast for Eternity' Bronze Masterworks from India and the Himalayas in Belgian and Dutch Collections, by Jan Van Alphen with contributions by Ian Alsop, Marcel Nies, and David Weldon, published by Antwerp Ethnographic Museum, 2004 - pages 58 to 61.