Green Tara is revered as a fully enlightened female Buddha and as the protector from the eight fears. This small sculpture presents her in a finely rendered form that brings her qualities of compassion and protection into gentle, clear focus.
She sits in lalit asana, the slightly open posture with the left leg folded and the right leg extended forward. Her right hand rests in the varada mudra, the gesture of generosity, while her left hand forms the vitarka mudra, the gesture of teaching. Two blue-toned lotus blossoms rise beside her shoulders.
A distinctive feature of this piece is the crystal-carved upper body, shaped and integrated into the figure by Shanta Shakya. The softly translucent crystal gives the Tara a light, almost floating presence.
Her robe is decorated with fine filigree: spiralling and curved wires filled with small arched elements and accented with coloured stones. Two small, carved lotus blossoms add a further delicate touch of colour.
The Tara’s expression is calm and attentive. The slight tilt of her head and the balanced proportions give the sculpture an intimate and quiet character.
The statue was crafted in Patan within the Newar metalworking tradition. In this work, Shanta Shakya combines filigree, crystal and classical iconography into a small, finely made artwork with a gentle, personal presence.
Statue, cast from copper using the traditional lost-wax casting method, adorned with fine filigree, silver-plated and gilded, the face and body carved from crystal, the figure accented with colored stones. The two lotus blossoms above the right and left shoulder are carved. The hair is painted with acrylic paint. The statue is patinated for an antique finish.
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.