A SINO-TIBETAN GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF A FOUR-ARMED TARA.

With legs crossed in dhyanasana, wearing a patterned dhoti, beaded necklaces and bracelets and a lobed tiara, her right hand in varada mudra and left hand in vitarka mudra with lotus blossoms clinging to her shoulders, the second pair of arms crossed behind her head, seated on a Hamsa Goose and raised on a base with a row of reticulated four-pointed vajras beneath a lotus petal band, 14.5cm H, 505g.

銅鎏金四臂度母像

There are many theories as to the origin of Tara, the most popular forms being the Green and White Taras, the current image of the deity seated on a magic goose is believed to be Saraswati, the Goddess of Literature worshipped by both Hindu and Buddhist devotees.