10th-11th century AD. A sandstone statue of a youthful torso, possibly Krishna, with bands of necklaces falling down to the stomach and large necklace to the throat; decorative armlets to the four arms; loin cloth held in place by belt of three bands of beads and sashes to the thighs; right leg bent back with toes touching the right arm; mounted on a custom-made stand. For a similar sculpture see the Metropolitan Museum, accession number 1991.300. 8.42 kg total, 37cm including stand (14 1/2"). Private collection, North London; acquired in the early 1990s. The youthful body and the position of the body would suggest that the figure is that of Krishna killing the horse demon Keshi. Vishnu appears in innumerable guises, known as avatars, on earth but none is more popular than that of Krishna, the warrior-king who freed his people from demonic threats. On one occasion the youthful Krishna slayed the demon Keshi, who appeared in the guise of a horse. This subject probably has its origins in Hellenistic legends, most notably the labours of Hercules in which the Greek hero slays the horses of Diomedes. Numerous demons were sent to kill Krishna, all of which he defeated; he would go on to kill the evil king Kamsa and restore order to the world.

Fair condition.