Tara
Description
This figure represents the goddess Tara who is the female counterpart as well as spouse of Avalokiteshvara. Like him, she is also a saviour deity and an embodiment of compassion. In their simplest forms, except for gender there are no iconographic differences between the two. She too sits or stands similarly and the lotus is her distinctive attribute. However, she can hold either the pink or the blue lotus and is either green or white – he is usually red complexioned.
Tara sits in lalitasana, is bedecked in richly inlaid jewellery and wears a tiara. Her right hand extends beyond the knee and makes the same gesture of charity . Her both hands make the same gesture but point in opposite directions. The flower held originally by the left hand is missing.
Karl and Meherbai Khandalavala Collection
Collection
Himalayan Art
Object Type
Figurine
Material
Gilt copper alloy
Schools/Culture/Period
--
Technique
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Date
18th century CE
Location
Nepal
Dimension
34 cm