5421-1-C911

Important Buddhist sculpture representing the Green Tara, a major female divinity in Vajrayāna Buddhism, particularly venerated in Tibet and Nepal.

The Green Tara, called Śyāmatārā in Sanskrit, embodies active compassion, protection and deliverance. It is traditionally invoked to help beings overcome dangers, obstacles and different forms of fear.

The deity is represented here seated in a posture of royal relaxation on an imposing base composed of several rows of lotus petals. Her left leg remains folded while her right leg lowers forward, a characteristic position of the Green Tara, ready to rise to help the beings who call her.

His right hand is lowered in the gesture of giving and wish-fulfillment, or varada mudrā. His left hand, raised to chest height, forms a gesture of teaching and protection. Two large plant stems grow symmetrically around the deity and blossom into lotus flowers on either side of his shoulders.

The figure wears a high ornate crown, an abundant set of necklaces and bracelets as well as a garment decorated with incised motifs. The face, with half-closed eyes, presents a calm and meditative expression. A small drop-shaped mark, evoking the ūrṇā or a stylized third eye, is engraved in the center of the forehead.

The reverse, also worked, shows the hairstyle, clothing and the openwork structure of the lotus stems. Examination of the lower part reveals a hollow cast iron, left open under the base. The sculpture was obtained using a traditional lost wax casting technique, with various stages of carving and finishing after casting.

The alloy has a golden yellow color that may correspond to old brass or zinc-rich bronze. In the absence of metallurgical analysis, it should be more cautiously designated as a copper alloy.

Through its iconography, composition and style, this sculpture belongs to the Himalayan Buddhist artistic tradition. It can be attributed with caution to a Nepalese or Tibeto-Nepalese production of the 20th century, probably from the second half of the century. It does not present the technical characteristics enabling it to be dated to the 18th or 19th centuries.

Features :

– Subject: Green Tara, Śyāmatārā
– Stylistic origin: Nepal or Tibeto-Nepalese area
– Proposed period: 20th century, probably second half
– Material: yellow copper alloy, bronze or brass
– Technique: hollow casting, probably lost wax
– Total height: 36.6 cm
– Maximum width: 20.7 cm
– Base depth: 14.7 cm
– Height of the base: approximately 8 cm
– Weight: 3,840 kg
– Open base

Good general condition. Presence of wear, scratches, small greenish oxidations and cast iron irregularities. Differences in color, workshop marks and visible repairs are compatible with artisanal manufacturing. The openwork plant structure and the protruding parts show some irregularities and old marks of use. 

An imposing and very decorative sculpture, interesting for a collection devoted to Buddhism, Himalayan arts, the iconography of Tara or 20th century Asian bronzes.