**Originally Listed At $1500**

Central Asia, Nepal, ca. 18th century CE. A wood panel depicting a deity with four arms, possibly Tara or one of the female Hindu deities, such as Lakshmi or Parvati. The woman stands in a ritualized and sensuous pose, with a snake draped around her neck and lower body. She wears a tall headdress and holds something that looks like a flame in one of her hands. Her other two remaining hands are held to form a blessing, one with the palm up at the chest, the other at her side. Her legs are crossed and her skirt is carved flowing around her legs and feet. She stands on a multi-tiered pedestal, its ornate surface decorated with lotus flowers and leaves; above her head is also a floral decoration. Size: 6.4" W x 31" H (16.3 cm x 78.7 cm)

This panel was probably a decorative element in a temple or other public space. Tara is a popular Vajrayana deity, whose worship began in around the 8th century in India, where she was seen as a combination of "Mother of all Buddhas" and the Indian concept of a mother goddess. In Nepal, this Buddhist goddess is known as Mahasri Tara, meaning the savioress of great beauty, one of the many incarnations of Tara. The Nepalese interpretation of the goddess is more focused on her compassionate and loving aspects, whereas in India she is more fiercely portrayed.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; Boston, Massachusetts, USA collection, in storage since 1992

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#129680

Wear to wooden surface commensurate with age, with inactive insect damage, mainly on the undecorated side, and some cracking and loss along the edges, especially on the top. One of the arms is lost. The carved figures still show excellent detail and the entire piece has a nice, dark patina.