Small 17th Century Carving of Tara, Goddess of Compassion and Protection

Small Antique Carving of Tara – Nepal

Size: 22 x 14.5 cm (8 ¼ x 5 ¾ inches): Weight: 304 grams (10 ½ oz)

This delightful 17^th Century carving of Tara once adorned a shrine or the front of a wealthy dignitary’s house in Nepal and was found in a Kathmandu antique shop in the mid 90s.

It depicts the Green Tara who is worshipped in both Hinduism and Buddhism as the Goddess of compassion and protection.

Carved in a hardwood, possibly ebony, it was intended to be viewed from the front as a fixture, although the back of the figure is also carved.  Its base is hollowed and shaped to securely fit over a fixed support.

This charming carving’s state of preservation is near perfect.

Small carvings such as this commonly adorned the front of wealthy family mansions prior to the 18^th Century and often end up in antique shops when the old wooden houses are destroyed by fire, updated or replaced.  They are now very rare.