Green Tara is regarded as a fully enlightened female Buddha and a protector from the eight fears. She is one of the central figures of Himalayan iconography.
The statue depicts Tara seated in lalit asana on a double-layered lotus base, whose two rows of petals visually expand the foundation and give the figure a well-grounded presence.
Her right leg extends forward and rests on a small lotus platform, indicating her readiness to act.
The right hand rests on her knee in the gesture of generosity (varada mudra), with the palm turned slightly outward. The left hand forms the vitarka mudra, the gesture of teaching, while holding the stem of the utpala lotus.
On her right side rises a fully opened lotus blossom; on her left, a closed bud—an iconographic pairing symbolising Tara’s presence by day and night. She wears the crown and full Bodhisattva ornaments characteristic of Green Tara representations in the Nepalese tradition.
The robe and lotus base are adorned with fine filigree. Spiral and curved elements are shaped from thin wires, filled with small arched segments, and arranged into floral motifs. Colored stones accentuate the ornamentation, while the patination enhances the three-dimensional character of the patterns.
Tara’s expression is calm and gentle. The slight inclination of the head and the clear proportions give the figure a composed, attentive presence.
The statue was created in Patan within the Newar tradition of metal sculpture. Shanta Shakya interprets the classical form with a particular sensitivity to the balance between figure and ornamentation. His filigree work follows a quiet, focused line that connects the structure of the double lotus base with the posture of Tara in a precise and coherent manner.
Statue made of copper, traditional lost-wax casting, decorated with filigree, silvered and gold-plated, set with colored stones. The figure has an antique finish. The face is finished in gold. Handcrafted in Nepal.
NOTE
The facial painting is a cold gold application and water-soluble.
Yala Craft by Shanta is an Asian company based in Germany. I sell my traditional Buddhist sculpture art, created in my own workshop in Nepal.