Mongolia, Green and White Tara (2)

17th-18th century, Mongolia, Zanabazar school, Green Tara, 21,6 cm, private collection, Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art lot 533, 20th March 2024, Christie’s

Mid 18th century, Inner Mongolia, Efi Khalkha temple, Green Tara, gilt metal (with stone inlay and pigment), no size given, inventory nº 1935.50.1711 at the Östasiatiska museet in Stockholm (Sweden).

Mid 18th century, Inner Mongolia, Efi Khalkha temple, White Tara, gilt metal (with stone inlay and pigment), no size given, inventory nº 1935.50.1709 at the Östasiatiska museet in Stockholm (Sweden).

In the previous post we saw two statues (Manjushri and Avalokiteshvara) from the same collection measuring 180 cm.

Tibet, Green Tara (41)

Circa 13th century, Tibet, Syamatara, gilt copper, 24,5 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 1043 pl. 261D, Potala Collection, Lima Lhakhang, inventory nº 930, Lhasa (Tibet).

Always seated with a leg pendent, Green Tara occasionally makes the fear-allaying gesture with her right hand. She normally holds a blue water lily in the other while making a symbolic gesture, in this case the kartari mudra (tip of the ring finger against tip of the thumb) to bestow refuge.

13th-14th century, Tibet, Green Tara, gilt copper alloy, 14 cm, private collection, Arts d’Asie lot 66, 12th June 2021, Cornette de Saint-Cyr on aaoarts

In most cases her right hand makes the gesture of supreme generosity. It is unusual for the left hand to display the gesture of debate (tip of the forefinger on tip of the thumb).

15th-16th century, Tibet, Green Tara, gilt copper alloy with stone inlay, 12 cm, private collection, as before, lot 65.

Pala India, various bodhisattvas (12)

Circa 8th-9th century, Northeastern India, unidentified bodhisattva, copper alloy, 13 cm, private collection, Arts d’Asie lot 64, 12th June 2021, Cornette de Saint-Cyr on aaoarts

According to the catalogue information, this figure seated with a leg pendent holds a fruit or a gem in his right hand and a lotus topped with the head of a makara in the other, which is singular. We will note also the unusual nimbus with seven large blossoms, the backrest with a flower at each corner, the large lotus earrings and matching necklace, the ornate belt, and the garland that goes over both arms and across the lap.

11th-12th century, Northeastern India, Maitreya, copper alloy with silver and copper inlay, 11,4 cm, private collection, Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asia Art lot 766, 20th March 2024, photo and notes by Sosi Mehren on Bonhams

The future buddha, adorned with a miniature stupa on his head, sits with a leg pendent and his left hand placed over the edge of base to hold a branch, possibly of champaka, topped with an object which Ms Mehren identifies as a ritual water pot. Instead of making the fear-allaying gesture, his right hand is folded towards him.

11th-12th century, Northeastern India, Padmapani (Avalokiteshvara), Tara and Manjushri, stone with cold gold and pigment, 12 cm, private collection, Purity and Enlightenment lot 5, 3rd October 2023, Hollywood Galleries

12th century, Northeastern India, Padmapani (Avalokiteshvara), bronze, 11,5 cm, private collection, as before lot 9.

Tibet, Green Tara (40)

14th century, Tibet, Tara, bronze with copper and stone inlay, cold gold, pigments, 12,5 cm, private collection, auction M0009, The Art of the Himalayas lot 43, 16th December 2021, Pundole’s

14th century, Tibet, Tara, gilt bronze with stone inlay and pigment, 10,2 cm, private collection, auction M0009 as before, lot 39.

15th century, Tibet, Tara, gilt bronze with stone inlay, cold gold, pigment, 14 cm, as above, lot 37.

15th century, Tibet, Tara, gilt bronze with stone inlay, cold gold, pigments, 13,3 cm, as above, lot 52.

15th century, Tibet, Tara, gilt bronze, 21 cm, private collection, Arts of Asia Online lot 18, 28th September 2023, Christie’s

15th-16th century, Tibet or Nepal, Green Tara, gilt bronze with turquoise inlay, 9,5 cm, private collection, Indian and Himalayan Art lot 846, 21st march 2024, Sotheby’s

Tibet, White Tara (18)

Circa 14th century, Tibet, Nepalese schools, Tara, gilt copper, 17 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 967 pl. 233D, at the Shalu monastery (Tibet).

16th century, Tibet, Tsang province atelier, White Tara, metal (brass), private collection, photo on HAR

15th-17th century, Tibet, Tara, jade, 11 cm, private collection, Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art lot 212, 2nd October 2017, China Guardian (Hong Kong).

17th century, Tibet, White Tara, bronze, 7 cm, photo on HAR, inventory nº Vp 3093 at the National Gallery in Prague (Czech Republic).

18th-19th century, Tibet, White Tara of the Seven Eyes, gilt copper alloy with stone inlay, cold gold, pigments, size not given, photo on wisdomlib, at the Patan Museum (Nepal).

Pala India, Tara (8)

Circa 10th century, Northeastern India, Tara, stone, 45 cm, private collection, Asian Art A181AS lot 430, 14th June 2017, Koller

Green Tara seated with the left leg pendent, her right hand displaying the gesture of supreme generosity, her left hand placed on the lotus base and holding the stem of a blue water lily.

Circa 10th century, Northeastern India, Tara, stone, 8 cm, Asian Art A183AS lot 399, 4th December 2017, Koller

(Pala period, Northeastern India), Tara, metal, 15,4 cm, photo by Sunil Dongol, Dharmadeva Caitya, Chabahil (Kathmandu, Nepal).

This one holds a round object, such as a seed or a pill.

11th-12th century, Northeastern India, Tara, stone, 70 cm, Asian Art A152AS lot 338, 27th March 2010, Koller Update 19/2/24: a reader pointed out that this is in fact Avalokitesvhara …

9th-10th century, Northeastern India, Tara, stone, 47 cm, the face heavily restored, private collection, Asian Art A144AS lot 373, 15th March 2008 Koller

White Tara flanked by open flowers that support elephants overturning pots of gems over her head.

11th century, Northeastern India, Tara, copper alloy, 16,7 cm, private collection, Images of Devotion lot 1856, 1st December 2023, Bonhams (Hong Kong).

Nepal, Tara (8)

16th century, Nepal, Kathmandu Valley, Tara, gilt bronze, 18 cm, photo on wisdomlib, at the National Museum of Nepal.

A rare sculpture of Vajritara, also known as Vajra-Tara, who has four heads and eight arms or one head (with three eyes) and four arms as above. There is a noose in her upper left hand. Her main hands are joined before her heart as if to hold an object, the lower right hand displays the gesture of generosity.

(Transitional Period, circa 11th century?), Nepal, Tara, copper alloy, 13,6 cm, photo by Sunil Dongol, 2010, at the Dharmadeva Caitya, Chabahil (Kathmandu, Nepal).

We saw an 11th century Nepalese Green Tara on The Walters Art Museum with similar facial features and hairstyle (two topknots), a single-leaf hair ornament and rosettes, large hoops, some jewellery and a matching belt. They both sit with the left leg pendent and their lower garment is spread over the large lotus base, whose upper petals are not aligned with the lower ones.

17th century, Nepal, Tara, gilt bronze, 12,8 cm, private collection, The Art of the Himalayas lot 91, 16th December 2021, Pundole’s

Green Tara, seated with her right leg pendent, the foot placed on a lotus that stems from the base, her right hand in the gesture of supreme generosity, the other making the gesture of debate. She holds the stem of a blue water lily in each hand.

17th-18th century, Nepal, devi (Tara?), gilt bronze, 14,2 cm, private collection, The Fine Arts Sale lot 27, 12th March 2014, Pundole’s

Circa 17th century, Nepal, devi (Tara?), gilt bronze, 17 cm, same as before, lot 29.

17th century, Nepal, Tara, copper (with traces of gilding), size not given, photo on wisdomlib, at the Patan Museum (Nepal).

17th century, Nepal, Kathmandu Valley, Tara, (gilt) bronze, 56 cm, photo on wisdomlib, at the National Museum of Nepal.

Unless the photo is the wrong way round, this figure is seated with the left leg pendent, which is unusual.

18th century, Nepal, Green Tara, copper alloy with gold paint, pigment, turquoise, 26,3 cm, accession nº AS20.a-c-1982 at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne (Australia).

19th century (or earlier?), Nepal, Green Tara, gilt bronze with turquoise and garnet, 13,8 cm, accession nº AS21-1982 at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne (Australia).

Circa 13th century, Nepal, devi (Tara?), copper alloy with traces of gilding, 14,5 cm, The Claude de Marteau Collection Part I, lot 31, 14th June 2022, Bonhams (Paris).

16th or 17th century, Nepal, Tara, gilt bronze with stones, 20,3 cm, private collection, The Art of the Himalayas lot 100, 16th December 2021, Pundole’s

17th century, Nepal, Tara, gilt copper alloy, replacement pedestal, no size given, photo on wisdomlib, at the Patan Museum (Nepal).

18th century, (Nepal or Nepalese artist in Tibet?), Tara, gilt bronze, 33 cm, Northern Himalayan Section photo 154 on wisdomlib, at the National Museum of Nepal.

Tibet, Green Tara (39)

Circa 14th century, Tibet, Nepalese schools, Tara, copper with traces of gilding, turquoise, lapis lazuli, rock crystal, on a gilt copper repoussé base, 29,5 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 966 pl. 233A, at the sMin grol gling (Mindroling) monastery (Tibet).

Green Tara holding a small round object in her right hand and making the gesture to bestow refuge (tip of ring finger on tip of thumb) with the other. A flower was once attached to her left elbow.

Circa 15th century, Tibet, Nepalese schools, Tara, gilt copper, 49 cm, photo as before (p. 967 pl. 233B), at the Shalu monastery (Tibet).

With her right hand in the boon-granting gesture and the other making the gesture of debate.

Circa 15th-16th century, Tibet, Tara, gilt copper alloy with stones, 9,5 cm, private collection, Fine Asian Works of Art lot 320, 17th December 2018, Bonhams (San Francisco).

16th century, Tibet, Tara, copper alloy, size not given, photo 36 on wisdomlib, at the Patan Museum (Nepal).

18th century, Tibet, Tara, copper alloy, size not given, photo on wisdomlib, at the Patan Museum (Nepal).

Seated on a double-lotus base decorated with an elephant next to the flower that supports her right foot.

18th century (Tibet?), Tara, bronze (with remains of gilding), 10 cm, Northern Himalayan Section photo 40, on wisdomlib, at the National Museum of Nepal.

Although labelled ‘Saptalochani Tara’ (Sitatara/White Tara), this is Green Tara, who has a green body on paintings and always sits with a leg pendant.

18th century (Tibet?), Arya Tara, bronze (with remains of gilding), 19 cm, Northern Himalayan Section photo 41, on wisdomlib, at the National Museum of Nepal.

Arya Tara is the name given to Syamatara/Green Tara in Nepal.

Nepal, Green Tara (4)

14th century, Nepal, Tara, gilt copper alloy and stone inlay, 17,8 cm, private collection, Images of Devotion lot 1805, 1st December 2023, Bonhams (Hong Kong).

Green Tara makes the gesture of supreme generosity with her right hand while holding the stem of a blue water lily in the other, with her fingers making the gesture to bestow refuge (tip of ring finger on tip of thumb). There is a flaming jewel on top of her hair.

14th century, Nepal, Tara, gilt bronze, 12,7 cm, private collection, Auction 814 lot 135, Nagel

14th century, Nepal, Tara, gilt copper alloy with stone inlay, 10,2 cm, The Claude de Marteau Collection Part III, lot 31, Bonhams (Paris).

17th century, Nepal, Tara, gilt copper, 12,6 cm, private collection, on Lost Arts of Nepal

Tibet, Green Tara (38)

14th-15th century, Tibet, Green Tara, gilt copper alloy with cold gold and pigment, 8,5 cm, private collection, Asian Art A207AS lot 104, 28th November 2023, Koller

14th-15th century, Tibet, Syamatara, bronze, 12 cm, Auction 814 lot 131, 12th June 2023, Nagel

15th century, Tibet, Tara, gilt copper alloy with turquoise, 11,8 cm, as before, lot 140, Nagel

Late 15th century, Tibet, Syamatara, bronze, 10 cm, private collection, Auction 809 lot 115, 7th July 2022, Nagel.

16th century, Tibet, Tara, bronze, 15,6 cm, private collection, Auction 819 lot 36, 7th December 2023, Nagel

Circa 17th century, Tibet, Green Tara, copper alloy with cold gold, 12,5 cm, private collection, Asian Art 207AS lot 109, 28th November 2023, Koller