<em>Seated Tara</em>, 9th century. Black schist, 30 1/4 x 15 3/4 x 7 3/4 in., 181 lb. (76.8 x 40 x 19.7 cm, 82.1kg). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by Dr. Bertram H. Schaffner, 1995.136. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1995.136_SL1.jpg)

Seated Tara

Medium: Black schist

Geograhical Locations:

Dates:9th century

Dimensions: 30 1/4 x 15 3/4 x 7 3/4 in., 181 lb. (76.8 x 40 x 19.7 cm, 82.1kg) mount (overall): 30 × 17 1/2 × 8 in. (76.2 × 44.5 × 20.3 cm)

Collections:

Museum Location: Asian Galleries, Southwest, 2nd floor

Exhibitions:

Accession Number: 1995.136

Image: 1995.136_SL1.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
The Buddhist deity, Tara, seated in lalitasana on an elaborate throne. Her right foot supported by a lotus, she is flanked by two devotees and her right hand is extended in varada mudra, her left holds a nilotpala (blue lotus). The goddess is surrounded by a circular aureole, with pearl and flame borders, and two kinnara (heavenly dwarf musicians) are shown in the upper border among stylized flowers. The base of the throne is flanked by two lions disgorging pearls. The Buddhist creed is inscribed in the nimbus: "invoke the presence of the Dharma, the universal truth taught and embodied by the..." (god or goddess in the image), see Huntington, "Leaves of the Bodhi Tree," p. 124.

Brooklyn Museum