Nepal, XIXth Century, Important Representation Of Tara In Gilded Bronze

Origin: Nepal
Period: 19th century
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 46.5 x 18 cm
Condition: Wear to gilding
Origin: From a set from a private collection


Important finely chiselled representation of Tara in gilded bronze decorated with cabochons of coral and turquoise. The protective deity is represented standing, barefoot, in tribbanga (triple bending), resting on an oval base decorated with a double row of inverted lotus petals, the upper part of the base decorated with gadroons and the lower part incised with scrolls. The slim body with graceful hips presents an opulent chest giving the room great sensuality. She is dressed in a fine dhoti draped around the hips adjusted by a finely chiseled belt, a fabric pan passing between the legs. The right arm is detached from the body, slightly bends towards the ground, the hand in virtaka mudra (gesture of argument). The left arm bent, the palm of the hand turned outwards in kartari mudra holding a lotus stem flourishing near the shoulder. It is richly adorned with bracelets around the arms, ankles and wrists and has a large necklace decorated with finely worked cabochons. The face of great softness and benevolent expression is characterized by great interiority. Half-closed almond eyes are surmounted by fine eyebrows treated with incisions and frame an aquiline nose overhanging a small mouth with fleshy lips. The ears with long, distended lobes are decorated with large pendants with openwork circular patterns. The head is adorned with a diadem with seven florets inlaid with cabochons, the delicate hair gathered in a high triple bun topped with a flamed motif. Two long strands of hair fall over the shoulders, forehead and temples wearing small symmetrical curls. The sealed base of a copper plate incised with a double vajra. Traces of red pigment on the diadem.

In the Buddhist tradition present in Tibet and Nepal, Tara is the female equivalent of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. The divinity is commonly represented in twenty-one different forms each having a color attitude and specific attributes. The most common representations are the Green Tara and the White Tara. The Green Tara evokes awakening activity and compassion, the White Tara symbolizes transformation and compassion.