Swat Valley Style Tara, 8th-9th Century

A Swat Valley style bronze statue of White Tara dating from the 8th or 9th century. She sits in dhyanasana on a throne which rests upon a lotus pedestal. Her left hand holds a blooming lotus near her shoulder. Her right hand opens downwards in varada mudra. She wears an assortment of jewelry over a thin dhoti and shawl, and a crown of lotuses and a finial adorn her head. Her throne is flanked by tigers, and her lotus pedestal is flanked by a attendants.

Dimensions are: 6 1/2 inches tall X 3 3/4 inches wide, 16.5 cm X 9.5 cm. Weight: 600 grams. All measurements are approximate.

Condition: There are areas of loss to the back, where a mandorla may have previously been attached, and to the right shoulder, where a lotus may have originally been. Wear to the gilt.

Provenance: From the collection of Mr. Williams in Texas. Mr. Williams has more than 50 years of collecting experience in Buddhist sculptures, paintings, and ritual objects from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Tibet, and the Central Plains of China. He has participated in sales around the world including in Hong Kong and throughout Tibet and Europe. A similar Akshobyha statue is housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City under accession number 1985.77. A similar Avalokiteshvara statue was sold at Bonhams New York on March 16, 2015, as lot 9.

High resolution images can be found here.