A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF GREEN TARA, QING DYNA... Lot n° 66

A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF GREEN TARA, QING DYNASTY China, 18th to early 19th century. Superbly cast, seated in lalitasana on a sealed double-lotus pedestal with a finely beaded rim, her right foot resting on a lotus blossom, her right hand lowered in varada mudra and her left hand raised in vitarka mudra, holding a lotus stem in each, coming to full bloom at her shoulders, wearing a dhoti with exquisitely carved folds gathered at the feet and fastened at the waist by a beaded girdle. Her elaborate crown, necklaces, arm and ankle bands are finely cast with minute beading. Provenance: Austrian private collection. Condition: Good condition with minor wear, minimal casting flaws, minuscule nicks, and one lotus leaf lost. Gilding renewed. Weight: 1,084 g Dimensions: Height 15.5 cm Tara is richly adorned in fine jewelry including a foliate crown framing the forehead, securing her high chignon with its lotus blossom finial and finely incised hair, falling down the side of her shoulders. Her elaborate necklaces fall elegantly down the contours of her bare chest. Her serene face with downcast eyes, full lips forming a calm smile, and slender brows. Green Tara, also known as Shyamatara, is venerated as a savior and liberator from samsara, the earthly realm of birth and rebirth. According to Buddhist mythology, Green Tara emerged from a lotus bud rising from a lake of the tears of Avalokiteshvara, shed for the suffering of all sentient beings. She embodies compassion in a dynamic form, hence the usual depiction of the goddess with right leg outstretched, ready to leap out to ease suffering. Her right hand is always in varada mudra, a gesture of compassion and charity, and the left hand in vitarka mudra, a gesture of teaching. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Bonhams San Francisco, 17 December 2013, lot 8280 Price: USD 40,000 or approx. EUR 50,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A gilt-bronze figure of White Tara, Qing dynasty Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, base, and modeling. Note the different style of lotus flowers. Note the size (17 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 18 March 2014, lot 277 Price: USD 10,000 or approx. EUR 12,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A gilt-bronze figure of Tara, Qing dynasty, 18th century Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and style. Note the different modeling.