TIBET DE L'OUEST, KHASA MALLA, XIVÈME SIÈCLE

Syamatara, or “Green Tara” is one of the most popular female deities during this period. Here she is seated in the posture of ease, or lalitasana upon an elaborate lotus base. She extends her right hand in the gesture of charity, varadamudra and holds her left hand in front of her chest. Both hands grasp long stalks of flowers which blossom beside her shoulders. According to the sadhanas, the flowers can be identified as blue lilies. Tara is clad in a vibrant red dhoti patterned with a floral motif and fastened around or waist with a red sash. She wears a three-leafed crown and an abundance of jewelry.
The upper register depicts six Buddhist teachers representing the lineage of the Tara Tantra. The left most figure with the yellow hat represents the Indian Pandita Atisha (c. 982-1054). Two other variations of Tara, in red and white, are depicted above the central Tara.
The present painting originates from the Western Tibetan Kingdom of Guge, which was ruled by the Nepalese Khasa Malla from the 11^th through 14^th centuries. Painting and sculpture from earlier periods of Guge is marked by its strong Kashmiri influence, and following the Khasa Malla invasion, the regional style saw strong Indo-Nepalese influences as Newari artists from the Kathmandu Vallery were brought to Western Tibet for important commissions.