Page 6 - Bonhams Indian and Himalayan Art March 2016 New York

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A GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF SEVEN-EYED TARA
Nepal, circa 15th century
Seated in double-lotus posture with hands in the gestures of reassurance and wish-granting,
her hair falling in knotted tresses across her shoulders on either side of her beautiful face.
8 1/4 in. (20.9 cm) high
$50,000 - 70,000

尼泊爾 約十五世紀 銅鎏金七目度母像
In this White form, Tara appears specifically for the purpose of bestowing longevity.
Practiced in all Schools of Tibetan Buddhism, Tara is second in popularity only to
Avalokiteshvara. Her practices are found in all classes of tantra - Nyingma and Sarma.
There are three eyes on her face (including the one on her forehead) and one eye on each
palm of her hands and feet, allowing her to see all beings in all the realms of existence.
Her expression is one of the utmost compassion. Her hand mudras are similar to those
of Green Tara but she is seated cross-legged rather than in the ready to rise posture of
Green Tara.
This glorious bronze is richly gilt and heavy in the hand from its thick casting and high copper
content, indicative of Newari production. The deeply receding waist of its lotus base is also
consistent. Her hands and feet are accomplished beautifully with a plump musculature, and
her silk mantle wraps around her shoulders with a convincing sense of tension.
Another Tara almost certainly from the same group or atelier, in the Collection of T. Christmas
Humphreys Esq. Q.C., was exhibited in The Tibetan Tradition, The Artist Own Gallery,
December 1965. The same sculpture is also referenced in a publication by Cintāmaṇi Kara,
Indian Metal Sculpture, London, 1952, p. 14, no. 10. Also compare the volume of the
figure, treatment of the face, and heavy beaded jewelry with a 16th-century parcel-gilt silver
Ushnishavijaya in Heller, Tibetan Art, p. 196, no. 105.
Referenced
HAR - himalayanart.org/items/61423
Exhibited
Journey to Tibet, Lotusland, Montecito, California, 1998.
Provenance
Private Collection, acquired in Hong Kong, 1980s

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