A rare polychromed black stone stele of Tara

TIBET, 13TH/14TH CENTURY

Details

A rare polychromed black stone stele of Tara
Tibet, 13th/14th century
Standing in graceful tribhanga on a double-lotus base backed by a gilt and polychromed torana, holding a lotus stalk in her left hand with her right lowered in varadha mudra, wearing a long dhoti secured around the waist with multiple belts, adorned with necklaces, earrings and other jewelry, the face surmounted by a crown, with gilding and rich polychromy overall
9½ in. (24 cm.) high

Lot Essay

This charming sculpture is remarkable for the almost entirely intact contemporary polychromy and gilding revealed after recent cleaning.
The braided border of the torana is a Pala period device referring to Indian prototypes.

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