White Tara

White Tara is one of the three deities, along with Amitayus and Ushnishavijaya, associated with promoting long life. Considered the most popular of the female deities in all Tibetan Buddhist traditions, she is worshiped widely and is one of the most recognizable among Tibetan Buddhist images. She has three eyes on her face, the third located at the center of her forehead, and one eye on each of her palms.

This sculpture appears to have been cast in one piece and is decorated with chased ornaments. A slight tilt of the head, favored by some artists working during this time period, animates the figure. Her slender, elongated proportions are accentuated by her flowing scarves, the folds of her lower garment, and the wavy stems of the flowers held in each of her hands. The narrow and protruding petals of her lotus throne emphasize the decorative finesse of this work.