24″ Standing Flute Krishna | Handcrafted Brass | Double Chola Finish

This handcrafted brass sculpture of standing flute Krishna measures 24 inches (61 cm) tall, 8.5 inches (21 cm) wide, and 8 inches (21 cm) deep, weighing approximately 11.1 kg, and is finished in a double chola treatment that layers a deep reddish-brown tone across the surface with warm golden brass breaking through prominently on the face, forearms, base, and raised ornamental relief.

The figure is cast in brass and finished by hand, with careful attention to the iconographic conventions governing the tribhanga form — the triple-flexed posture in which the head, torso, and lower body each incline in alternating directions to produce a composed, rhythmic stance. One leg crosses lightly at the ankle, the weight resting on the standing foot, while both hands raise a long flute to the lips. The posture is fluid without being theatrical, and the casting conveys a stillness appropriate to the meditative quality of flute-playing as depicted in classical Indian sculpture. The headdress is tall, layered, and heavily ornamented — a tiered crown surmounted by a peacock feather, one of the most consistent iconographic markers in representations of this deity — and is worked with fine relief carving across every register. Long tassel ornaments hang from the crown on each side. The torso is bare except for multiple strands of necklaces and a broad ornamental chest piece rendered with bead-by-bead surface detail. The lower garment falls in carved pleated folds and is bordered with a dense waistband set with circular medallions and hanging fringe elements. Ankle ornaments and foot details are fully resolved. The figure stands on a tiered circular lotus base with a stepped plinth below, both carrying incised petal and foliate carving throughout.

Krishna as the flute-playing cowherd is one of the most widely venerated forms in Vaishnava devotional tradition. The flute in his hands is understood not as a musical instrument alone but as a symbol of the call of the divine — an invitation to surrender and devotion. The tribhanga posture in which he stands is described in classical texts as the posture of bliss, associated with Vrindavan, the lila of the forest, and the Bhagavata Purana's accounts of his youth. This iconographic form has been rendered in temple sculpture, bronze casting, and devotional painting across India for over a thousand years.

Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, has been used in Indian devotional and decorative objects for centuries. It accepts fine casting detail reliably, carries meaningful weight relative to its size, and provides a warm, durable ground for multi-layered surface finishes.

The double chola finish produces a rich stratification of tone: a deep brown oxidized layer settles into the recesses of the carving — the garment folds, waistband medallions, necklace strands, crown tiers, and base petal rows — while a warmer golden brass tone rises on the face, upper body, flute, and plinth edges. The result is a surface with considerable visual depth and contrast. Each handcrafted piece carries natural variation in the intensity and distribution of this finish.

This sculpture is well suited for a puja room, a home altar dedicated to Vaishnava practice, or as a significant piece for collectors of classical Indian devotional brass work.

Note: At Cosmic Studio, every sculpture is individually handcrafted, ensuring no two pieces are exactly alike. Minor variations in color, texture, and detailing are a natural result of the artisanal process and are considered marks of authenticity. These unique characteristics, along with potential differences in lighting and screen displays, may cause the product to appear slightly different from the images shown.