Page 16 - 2020 September 23 Himalyan and Southeast Asian Works of Art Bonhams

606
A SILVER AND COPPER INLAID BRASS FIGURE OF SITATARA
NORTHEASTERN INDIA, PALA PERIOD, 10TH/11TH CENTURY
Himalayan Art Resources item no.16836
4 in. (10.1 cm) high

$80,000 - 120,000

印度東北部 帕拉時期 十/十一世紀 錯銀錯紅銅白度母銅像

Considered a Buddha, Tara is the most popular female deity in Mahayana and Tantric
Buddhism. Her name in Sanskrit means ‘Savioress’, and Tara can be worshipped for everyday
blessings as well as spiritual transcendence. Here, she is depicted in her most prominent form,
known as Sitatara (or White Tara), in which she bestows good health and longevity on her
followers. Her seven eyes–three on her face, two on her palms, and two on the soles of her
feet–symbolize the goddess’s compassionate monitoring of, and engagement with, the mortal
realm.

Cast in the Pala style, this elegant figure reflects Indian art’s heralded sensuousness. The
goddess gently leans to the left while extending her right hand, forming an elegant seated
posture that accentuates the silhouette of her full breasts and supple waist. The necklace and
sacred thread made of silver and copper inlay lead the eye across Sitatara’s voluptuous body.
Such lavish use of silver and copper inlay distinguishes finer Pala bronzes from the rank and file.

A standing Sitatara from Kurkihar, attributed to the late 10th century, provides a basis for
dating the present work (Roy, Eastern Indian Bronzes, New Delhi, 1986, no.183a). Particularly
telling among the numerous stylistic similarities are its physique, physiognomy, tall and pointed
armbands, and crown with widely-spaced small triangular leaves. The short and plump
lotus petals of their bases are also identical. Another silver and copper inlaid bronze figure of
Prajnaparamita, attributed to the 11th century, is closely related to the present Sitatara (see
Grewenig & Rist (eds.), Buddha: 2000 Years of Buddhist Art, Völklingen, 2016, pp.116-7,
no.33). Note the similarities of facial type, as well as the treatment of armbands, bangles, belt,
and lotus base.

Provenance
Collection FKH, USA, since 2005

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