This life-size image of Shri Krishna, carved out of black stone, was found from village Vaghecha in Bardoli Taluka of Surat District on the bank of Tapti river, in the year 1957 and brought to the museum. Both the arms of this image are mutilated. This image appears to be in the regional style, suggesting its period as the later part of the 18th century, because in the sculptural styles of that period, we find square faces, short stature and gracefully proportioned limbs. 

This icon is fully covered with a variety of ornaments like a garland with pendants, in the shape of flowers, 'kaustubh-bead' on chest, 'kundala' (ear- rings), 'bajuband' (bracelet) on arms, waist-band etc. Venu-Gopal is usually seen wearing a yellow loincloth, one end of it tied between legs. Sacred thread is worn falling from the left shoulder. The manner in which the hair is arranged, tells that the image is in Vaishnav tradition. Observing closely, one finds that, its smile is enigmatic. Several art-critics have compared this with the mysterious smile of 'Mona Lisa'. 

Such icons of shorter stature are found in the 'havelis' or residential temples of Vaishnav tradition. It is believed that Gujarat had a centre of its own style of sculpture. But, in the course of time, Gujarat was subjected to Muslim invasions, resulting in damage or loss of temples. The images which were part of such desecrated temples were abandoned and not worshipped. Such images were often thrown into various water courses or reservoirs. Possibly, the iconoclasts broke these images and threw them in rivers, which might have changed their courses and the mutilated icons might have been exposed. (Another image of Radha in white marble was also discovered on the bank of the same river and also found its way into the museum, too, has both its arms mutilated). In spite of such iconoclasts, this country has seen many Muslims but Vaishnav devotees, who have composed lucid literature of Krishna adoration. For instance, in the beginning of the 18th century, the saint poet Raskhan, a great devotee of Krishna had composed well-known poems. This was our true culture of religious co- existence. Should it ever get lost? Even these days such sculptures are hammered out by Sompura family