Nepalese Green Tara In Gilded Bronze – Kathmandu Valley, Newar Art, 19th Century

A green Tara made of gilded bronze, created in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal in the 19th century in the Newar tradition. This 68.5-cm-tall standing figure combines a tribhanga posture with engraved clothing, a tall openwork crown, and an upright lotus near the shoulder.

Green Tara, Śyāmatārā, embodies compassion and protection in Vajrayana Buddhism. The fluidity of the figure, the jewelry, and the rendering of the lotus are characteristic of Nepalese religious sculpture.

The piece is made of a copper alloy/bronze cast using the lost-wax method and further refined by hand chiseling. Technical examination reveals traces of the core, internal supports, and ancient oxidation. The engraved lines reveal the subtle variations characteristic of handwork.

A black patina covers a large portion of the surface. Traces of historical mercury gilding remain, particularly in the ornaments and protected areas. The gilding has worn thin on the protruding parts, revealing the metal. This wear, the patina, and the oxidation are part of the object’s original condition; the detailed views show their distribution.

Height: 68.5 cm. Width: 28 cm. Weight: 7.2 kg. Reference: 704.