This is an exceptionally early Nepalese copper image, showing the sophistication of metal casting in the Licchavi period (6th -8th century). The saviouress is represented in a rare six-armed form; her attributes include a vajra (thunderbolt sceptre), noose (?), lotus (padma), dagger (?) and a sword. The sixth hand is held to receive a now missing attribute. She may represent an early form of Tara transmitted from the Mahayanist tradition of eastern India and not preserved in later iconography.
Details
- Title : The Buddhist Goddess Tara
- Year : c. 8th century
- Artist : Unknown
- Classification : Statue
- Medium : Copper
- Dimension : Height: 16,5 cm
- Accession No : Museum no. IS.9-1989
- Country/ Geo-location : Nepal
- Culture : Buddhist
- Period : Licchavi period
- Collection : Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)
- Status : On display. South-East Asia, Room 47a, case 10