20th century AD. A gilt bronze statue of the goddess Tara seated on a lotus base, right hand held down on knee, left held up in blessing; both hands holding open lotus flowers that branch up to frame the body; ornaments in the form of necklaces, crown, armlets, and bracelets; details of the face painted. 24.5 kg, 68cm (26 3/4") From the Cheuk family collection. In Buddhism, Tara is a Buddhist saviour-goddess especially popular in Tibet, Nepal and Mongolia. In Tibet, where Tara is the most important deity, her name is Sgrol-ma, meaning she who saves. The goddess of universal compassion, Tara represents virtuous and enlightened action. It is said that her compassion for living beings is stronger than a mother's love for her children. She also brings about longevity, protects earthly travel, and guards her followers on their spiritual journey to enlightenment. Before she was adopted by Buddhism, Tara was worshipped in Hinduism as a manifestation of the goddess Parvati; the Hindu aspect of Tara still has an important shrine at Tarapith, Bengal. The feminine principle was not venerated in Buddhism until the fourth century AD, and Tara probably entered Buddhism around the sixth century AD. According to Buddhist tradition, Tara was born out of the tears of compassion of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. It is said that he wept as he looked upon the world of suffering beings, and his tears formed a lake in which a lotus sprung up. When the lotus opened, the goddess Tara was revealed.

Fine condition.