Monumental Fire-Gilded Bronze Green Tara (Syama Tara) – Nepal – 19th Century – 78 cm

Monumental Fire Gilded Green Tara from Kathmandu Valley

Height: 78 cm | Width: 27 cm | Weight: 8.2 kg | Material: Solid traditional cast bronze with original fire gilding

An exceptionally large and museum-executed Nepalese representation of Green Tara (Syama Tara), produced in the Kathmandu Valley during the 19th century. The image was cast according to the traditional lost wax method and belongs to the higher quality of Nepali temple art. The graceful tribhanga posture, exquisite body proportions, richly engraved robes, and monumental appearance make this an impressive piece of devotional art originally intended for ritual worship within a Buddhist temple or private shrine.

Iconography of Green Tara

Green Tara is within Tibetan and Nepali Buddhism as the female embodiment of universal compassion and instant protection. She stands for swift help, wisdom, compassion, and overcoming fear and obstacles.

The image shows Tara in her signature elegant Tribhanga posture, where the body bends in three smooth lines. In her left hand she holds the long stem of the sacred lotus (Utpala), the symbol of purity and spiritual enlightenment. The richly elaborate crown, ornaments and finely engraved dhoti belong to the classic iconography of high-quality Nepali Tara images of the 19th century.

Technical Research & Authentic Construction

The image was performed technical examination using a digital Dino-Lite microscope. The recordings confirm a traditionally cast bronze cult image with numerous hand finishes not found in modern reproductions.

• Traditionally cast according to the lost washing method (cire perdue).
• Hand-chiseled engravings visible under magnification.
• Natural wear on excellent parts with intact oxidation in the deeper engravings.
• Original fire gilding (mercury gilding) present over large parts of the surface.
• Historical copper oxidation and natural patina formation appropriate to prolonged age.
• No indication of modern industrial finishing or machine post-processing.

Original Fire Gilding

Microscopic examination reveals a historic fire-gilded finish with the original gold plating still clearly present. At natural wear points the underlying copper alloy becomes visible, while in the deeper engravings the original gilding is exceptionally well preserved. This wear pattern is characteristic of authentic Nepali temple bronzes that have been ritually used for a long time.

The quality of this fire gilding is among the features that make such Nepali cult images particularly beloved among collectors of Himalayan art internationally.

Artistic Quality

The sculpture is distinguished by its exceptionally harmonious body proportions, refined facial expressions, and most carefully elaborated ornamentation. The crown, jewelry, lotus stem and richly engraved robes were completely finished by hand. Especially the elegant modeling of the body and the subtle detailing of the lotus petals bear testimony to a very experienced Nepali master caster.

Moreover, with a height of 78 centimeters, this image belongs to the larger and considerably rarer executions that appear only sporadically on the international art market.

A Museum Quality Collectible

This original Nepali fire gilded bronze image of Green Tara combines religious significance, high quality traditional bronze casting and exceptional artistry in one monumental sculpture. Thanks to its authentic construction, original fire gilding, natural patina, and exquisite hand finishing, this is a rare collectible for lovers of Himalayan art, museum collections, and serious collectors of Buddhist sculpture.