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Antique Nepalese Bronze Green Tara - Newar Art - Kathmandu Valley - 19th Century - 68.5 cm
€6,900Bid from €6,210
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Private sellerDamme, GermanyOn Whoppah since February 2025 • 3 sales
Product description
Antique Bronze Green Tara – Newar, Kathmandu Valley (Nepal)
Dimensions: H 68.5 cm × W 28 cm | Weight: 7.2 kg | Material: Traditionally lost-wax cast copper alloy / bronze with original fire gilding and authentic Newar patina.
This monumental Green Tara belongs to the high-quality religious bronze art from the Kathmandu Valley and was crafted by a Newar master during the 19th century. With her elegant tribhanga posture, refined body modeling, and exceptionally richly engraved robes, she represents classical Nepalese Buddhist sculpture at a high level. The combination of monumental dimensions, traditional fire gilding, and the characteristic deep black Newar patina makes this a unique collector's item that rarely appears on the international art market.
Green Tara – The Goddess of Compassion and Protection
Within Vajrayana Buddhism, Green Tara (Śyāmatārā) is considered the female embodiment of compassion, protection, and swift assistance. She is invoked to remove obstacles, overcome fears, and promote spiritual development. Her graceful posture symbolizes her continuous readiness to help all living beings. The subtly modeled female anatomy, the rich crown, the refined jewelry, and the lotus stem beside the shoulder belong to the classical iconography of Nepalese Tara images from the Newar tradition.
Technical Examination
The sculpture was extensively examined using digital microscopy and technical inspection. Its construction confirms it is a traditionally crafted religious bronze sculpture made according to the ancient lost-wax method (cire perdue). The original casting core is still largely present, and the internal core supports (chaplets) are clearly visible. The interior shows natural oxidation, historical copper salts, and an authentic casting structure that fully aligns with traditional Newar bronze casting art. Under magnification, manual chasing marks are visible throughout. The engravings were individually applied by hand after casting, with small variations in depth and line work confirming its artisanal character. Modern machine finishing or industrial production marks are entirely absent.
Original Fire Gilding & Newar Patina
Microscopic examination reveals clear remnants of the original fire gilding in several places. Especially in the recessed ornaments, crown, and jewelry, the historical gold layer remains well-preserved. On the prominent areas, the gilding has gradually worn away due to centuries of natural wear, revealing the warm copper alloy. Furthermore, the sculpture possesses the characteristic deep black Newar patina for which high-quality Nepalese temple images are internationally renowned. This natural surface forms over a long period through oxidation, ritual use, and careful maintenance, and is considered by collectors as one of the most important characteristics of authentic Nepalese religious bronzes.
Artistic Quality
The harmonious body proportions, refined facial expression, and exceptionally rich engravings clearly place this sculpture above the average level of 19th-century Nepalese religious bronzes. The crown, jewelry, lotus, and robes were entirely hand-finished by an experienced Newar master, with each detail individually chased. With a height of 68.5 centimeters, this also belongs to the larger versions that were originally crafted for temples, monasteries, or private sanctuaries of significant status.
An Authentic Collector's Item
This antique Green Tara unites religious significance, traditional Newar craftsmanship, and exceptional artistic quality in one monumental sculpture. Thanks to the original fire gilding, the authentic black Newar patina, the traditional lost-wax construction, and the refined hand engravings, this sculpture constitutes a rare collector's item for enthusiasts of Himalayan art, Buddhist sculpture, and high-quality Asian antiquities.
Additional details:
- Brand: 1stbuddha
- Style: Nepalese
- Style: Newar
- Style: Boeddhistische
- Material: koperlegering
- Colour: goud
- Colour: koper
- Period: 19e Eeuw
- availability: in_stock
- product_type: Beeld / sculptuur
Specifications
CategorySculptureConditionVery goodColorsBlack, GreenMaterialBronze, GoldSeller locationDamme, GermanyDelivery optionsDelivery or pickup
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Seller information
About this seller
Private sellerDamme, GermanyOn Whoppah since February 2025 • 3 sales