Lot 133
KRISHNA SUBDUING A KALIYA
INDIA, BENGAL, LATE 19TH CENTURY
Auction: 10 June 2026 from 14:00 BST
Description
gouache on grey-brown rough paper, depicting the flute-playing Krishna standing on Kaliya and implored by two of Naga's wives, within cusped arch with scroling floral decoration in the spandrel, verso with seal and inscription
Dimensions
33.1cm x 27.8cm
Provenance
Formerly, the Stuart Cary Welch Collection (1928-2008); acquired, Sotheby's, The Stuart Cary Welch Collection, Part Two, Art of India, 31 May 2011, Lot 140.
Footnote
This enchanting picture portrays Kaliya, the multi-headed serpent demon, who lived with his wives in the river Jumuna where they fouled the waters of a deep pool poisoning the cattle brought by Krishna's cowherds from Brindaban to drink. Krishna leapt into the waters to destroy the demon but with the intervention of Kaliya's wives he spared the demon's life but banished him from the river.
The painting is likely to be after a fresco painting.