Tara is greatly revered by Himalayan Buddhists to this day; they call on her for protection and aid in any situation. As Shyamatara (Green or Dark Tara), she sits with her left leg bent in front of her; her right leg is pendant and rests on a lotus. Her pose symbolizes her willingness to leap to her feet to help out at a moment’s notice.
This figure was cast in the imperial workshops at Beijing, and is among the finest examples of Chinese sculpture. The naturalistic modelling of the body, the elegant drapery folds, and the opulence and intricacy of the jewellery reveal the figure’s quality.