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• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  The Raphy Star Collection of Important Asian Art
• Sale Date:
  11 Dec 2016 ~ 6.30pm
• Lot #:
  66
• Lot Description:
  A Very Fine And Rare Nepalese Bronze Parcel-Gilt Figure of Tara, 9th-10th Century
  the heavily bejeweled figure standing in tribhanga on a round lotus pedestal with a ring for attachment to a shrine, the right hand in varada mudra, the left in kataka mudra holding the stalk of the lotus (Padma) the flower upon the left shoulder, wearing a transparent robe and a three-leaf crown
  25.4cm high
• Provenance:
  Carlo Cristi, 24/10/2007, invoice no.: 18/07
• References:
  see Hugo Munsterburg Scupture of the Orient, NY, 1972, p. 31 for a very similar Tara in the British Museum
• Notes:
  Legend has it that Tara emerged from a lotus flower grown from Avalokitesvara’a tears as a beautiful and serene sixteen year old maiden with a tiny waist, child-bearing hips and ample bosom. Tara is recognised as the pre-eminent female figure in the Buddhist pantheon and she has the spiritual gift of representing the three miracles of Buddha; past, present and future. She is responsible for providing Avalokitesvara with the courage to look beyond human suffering and continue his acts of compassion. Nepalese bronzes from the Transitional Period depicting Tara are quite rare when compared with the more well-known sculptures of Padmapani Avalokitesvara. The sophisticated casting, gilding, and naturalistic detail in this magnificent and early bronze epitomises the very essence of the finest of Nepalese sculpture. Fortunately, this figure has remained in excellent condition, with the double lotus pedestal and the flaming halo still attached. Tara is depicted here with a slender waist, her hips fetchingly swayed in a graceful ‘tribangha’ pose, the lower part of her body covered in a diaphanous, patterned skirt. She wears a tripartite crown upon her head and her neck, with the three folds of beauty, is adorned with a necklace. The stylised armlets worn to each arm, flank her rounded breasts and brilliant, flaming halo is attached to her back. The powerful, spiritual diamond symbol incised to the centre of her right palm, where she holds a jewel, possibly represents the fruit of knowledge or a wish-fulfilling gem while her left hand holds the stalk of a lotus, a symbol of longevity and relief from suffering. For similar portrayals of other bodhisattvas, please see: the gilt copper alloy figure of Padmapani in the Norton Simon Museum (USA); Christie’s, NY, 21/9/07, lot 169; Sotheby’s, NY, 21/3/12, lots 289 & 290; Christie’s, NY, 21/3/08, lot 600; and Sotheby’s, Paris, 16/12/15, lot 73 for a similar, though later example of the goddess Tara. For other comparable 9/10th century Nepalese bodhisattvas, see P. Pal, The Art of Nepal, Leiden, 1974, pl. 190. Sally Robin
• Estimate:
  A$150,000 - 200,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Oriental

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.