Gilt Bronze Green Tara Ming Dynasty Yongle Mark and Period
$3,980.00
Description
Antique gold gilded brass Green Tara sitting atop the lotus base. Also recognized as Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara since ancient China. With delicate and elegant outlook. The bottom of the statue indicated “大明永樂年施”. Which means Ming dynasty, Yongle period (1403–1424).
Under the rule of Qubilai Khubilai Khan (1215–1294), the Nepalese artist Anige came to Beijing, on the recommendation of the Imperial Preceptor Pakpa, bringing authentic Himalayan imagery and techniques. In 1402 Zhu Di captured Nanjing with his troops and usurped the emperor’s throne from his nephew. He was proclaimed Ming Chengzu and assumed the reign name Yongle (r. 1402–1424). It was from his reign until his grandson Xuande’s reign (1426–1435) that and its arts gained favor at court.
Although the Ming dynasty expelled the Mongols from China, the early Ming emperors continued the Mongol practice of patronizing Tibetan Buddhism and producing its art. Art historian Luo Wenhua tells the story of a bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara, from its iconographic roots in ancient India and its forging in Chinese court workshops, to its present home in the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Gifts of imperial images like this one would inspire later generations of Tibetan artists.The making of Tibetan Buddhist statues at the Ming court was inspired by the preceding.
Green Tara is the original Tara. The female consort of Amoghasiddhi (one of the “self-born” buddhas). Often sits on a lotus throne with right leg hanging down, wearing the ornaments of a bodhisattva and holding the closed blue lotus (utpala). Also known as Jetsün Dölma (meaning: “Venerable Mother of Liberation”). Under the influence of Tibetan Buddhism, the different forms of Tara multiplied to a traditional 108. Tibetan temple banners frequently show 21 different Taras, coloured white, red, and yellow, grouped around a central Green Tara. The figure of the “self-born” Amitabha Buddha sits in her headdress, as she, like Avalokiteshvara, is an emanation of Amitabha.
Rare one of a kind.
Dimensions:3.75″ x 5.5″ x 7.5″
*Antique piece. Sell in used, pre-owned condition. Vintage and antique items by nature have variable amounts of wear, imperfections, signs of use, age and time. Perfectly imperfect. Condition shown as in pictures. Kindly contact us if you need more info. or detail pictures.
*Due to the size and/ or the delicate situation of the item. Please contact us for more pictures or details about picking up /shipping options.
