A turquoise-inset gilt copper-alloy figure of Syamatara


Tibet, 14th centuryThe 'green' incarnation of Tara modelled seated in lalitasana on a double-lotus throne, the sinuous body bedecked with hardstone inset jewellery, the hands in vitarka and varada mudra and holding the stems of two lotus flowers rising to the shoulders, the gently smiling face crowned with a tiara. 11.5cm (4 1/2in) high
|There are various tales relating to the origin of Tara, but one of the more common is that she appeared on a lotus flower on a lake formed by the tears of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Avalokitesvara. The two wives of the Tibetan king, Srong-Tsan-Sgam-Po, one a Nepalese princess, the other Chinese, were believed to be incarnations of Tara, and this gave rise to the two distinct forms: White Tara and Green Tara.