Standing Tara wtih torana, reposse gilt copper set with turquoise, Nepal, 16th century

Figure of the goddess Tara in standing attitude on lotus throne fitted with detachable aureole-back. Figure of copper, chased and incised, thickly overlaid in gold; detachable tiara, of similar material, jewelled with turquoises. Throne and throne-back of wood faced with copper.

Purchased from Imre Schwaiger

Purchased from Imre Schwaiger, 39 Brook Street, Grosvenor Square, W. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project.

RP 1911- 3340M

Tara, the female aspect of the god of compassion, Avalokitesvara, seen with both hands in the gesture of disposition and reasoning (vitarkamudra), the lower hand also holding the stem of a lotus (padma), her principal attribute. The tara is wearing a detachable crown of gilt copper with hanging leaves and inlaid silver ribbon, and is seen against an elaborate backplate (prabha) decorated with buddhas and taras supported on lotus thrones (padmapitha), with a pearl and flame border. The base is decorated with the triratna, the symbol of the "three jewels" of Buddhism: the Buddha, the law (dharma) and the community of monks (sangha). Figures of this scale were often positioned flanking a temple doorway in a royal or private enclosure.

IM.105-1911