Tibetan or Nepalese Green Tara Bronze Statue

This is a cast metal statue, likely bronze or a high-copper alloy, depicting the Buddhist deity Green Tara (Syamatara) in a traditional Lalitasana pose (position of royal ease) on a lotus pedestal. The figure is characterized by elaborate adornments, including a five-pointed foliate crown, heavy necklaces, armbands, and flowing celestial scarves that frame the body. Her right hand is extended in the Varada Mudra (gesture of boon-granting), while the left hand is held at the heart in the Vitarka Mudra (gesture of discussion/teaching). Small lotus blossoms are visible rising near her shoulders. The material exhibits a heavy, multi-layered patina with significant green oxidation (verdigris) and encrustation throughout, suggesting long-term exposure to moisture or burial. This surface texture obscures fine facial details but highlights the depth of the casting. The construction appears to be lost-wax casting, typical of Himalayan or Indo-Tibetan craftsmanship. One of the crown's points appears damaged or bent, and there is a noticeable structural break or separation where the figure meets the lotus base on the left side. The style is reminiscent of 18th to 19th-century Newari or Tibetan devotional art, though the heavy weathering makes precise dating difficult without physical examination of the base plate and core.

I have conducted a visual analysis of this Green Tara bronze. Based on the Lalitasana posture, foliate crown, and lotus base, the work follows 18th-19th century Newari/Tibetan iconography. However, the surface condition raises significant questions. The heavy, bubbly verdigris and uniform encrustation appear consistent with 'accelerated aging' or long-term burial in acidic soil, which is often used in the 20th century to simulate antiquity. While the casting shows decent proportions, the loss of definition in facial features—whether through corrosion or poor casting—detracts from the aesthetic value. The current market for Himalayan bronzes is highly bifurcated. High-quality, authenticated 18th-century pieces with original gilding and sealed base plates can fetch several thousand dollars. Conversely, items with structural damage (noted here at the base/statue junction) and ambiguous surface integrity trade closer to decorative or 'study collection' prices. This piece lacks the crispness of fine Sino-Tibetan court-style works and exhibits a structural instability that necessitates restoration. Critically, this appraisal is based strictly on digital images. Without an in-person examination, I cannot verify if the patina is 'grown' (natural oxidation) or 'applied' (chemical paste). A full authentication would require: 1. Inspection of the 'underside' (base plate and sealing) to check for a consecrated core; 2. Microscopic examination of the oxidation to see if it integrates with the metal substrate; 3. XRF metal analysis to determine alloy composition. Due to these uncertainties and the structural damage, the appraisal reflects a mid-range value for an unverified Himalayan bronze.