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South Asia, India, Bihar region, Pala Empire, ca. 10th to 12th century CE. A stunning hand-carved phyllite stone high relief panel of Green Tara or Shyamatara, a mother and savior goddess who offers protection, seated upon a lotus pedestal in the lalitasana pose. She is a lovely and voluptuous deity, adorned in jewelry, headdress, and sheer skirt- her breasts bare. In one hand is a nilotpala or blue lotus flower, the other extends downward in the varada mudra gesture of giving. She is flanked by two lions and framing her head is a halo within a flaming border with two musician devotees positioned on either side. The stone itself is a lustrous black with flecks of shimmering mica, and such a stunning sculpture would have been featured in a niche of a temple or shrine. Size: 19" L x 6" W x 29" H (48.3 cm x 15.2 cm x 73.7 cm); 31" H (78.7 cm) on included custom stand.

For a similar example from the Pala period, please see the Brooklyn Museum's website, accession number: 1995.136.

According to Buddhist teachings, Tara was born out of the tears of compassion of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, who wept as he observed the suffering of worldly beings, his tears formed a lake from which a lotus sprung. When the lotus opened, the goddess Tara was within. Shyamatara or the Green Tara protects believers from the eight great dangers - lions, elephants, snakes, fire, thieves, water, demons, and prisons or the government. In Buddhism, Tara (Sanskrit for star) is a savior goddess. In Tibet, she is the most important deity and her name is Sgrol-ma or Shyamatara (she who saves). She is also popular in Nepal and Mongolia. Tara is the goddess of supreme compassion, said to be stronger than a mother's love for her children. In addition, Tara is said to bring about longevity, protect earthly travel, and guard followers on their spiritual journey to enlightenment.

Provenance: private Tucson, Arizona, USA collection, acquired in 2007 from B.C. Galleries, Armadale, Australia

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#173696

Professionally repaired. Break line across halo, right arm and right leg. Loss to lower left leg. Chips and surface wear to high pointed areas. Details are sharp and well preserved. Light mineral deposits and remains of red pigments in recessed areas.