Tara, Goddess of Compassion

Gallery 325, Asian Art, third floor (Imasogie Gallery)

Main Building

Tara, Goddess of Compassion

18th - 19th century

Artist/maker unknown, Mongolian

Perhaps the largest statue from Dolonnor, Inner Mongolia in any American collection, this impressive image of White Tara, the Goddess of Compassion, was also among the first Tibetan-Buddhist objects to enter the Museum's collection. Eyes on Tara's forehead and in the palms of her hands and feet symbolize her ability to see everywhere and help all her devotees. Remnants of stems are visible at her elbows, indicating lotus flowers that once accompanied this piece. Originally she would also have worn earrings and a crown, each piece having been separately crafted and put on the sculpture as on a human body. Painted depictions of White Tara give an idea of how this image was once ornamented.

Gallery 325, Asian Art, third floor (Imasogie Gallery)

Object Details

Title:

Tara, Goddess of Compassion

Date:

18th - 19th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Mongolian

Medium:

Gilded bronze repoussé

Dimensions:

Approximately: 45 x 38 x 26 inches (114.3 x 96.5 x 66 cm)

Classification:

Sculpture

Credit Line:

Gift of John T. Morris, 1911

Accession Number:

1911-98

Geography:

Made in Dolon Nor, Duolun County, Chahar Province, Inner Mongolia, China, Asia

Context:

Dynasty: Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)

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Gallery 325, Asian Art, third floor (Imasogie Gallery)

Main Building

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