This charming figure of a standing Tara most likely originates from the small Western Himalayan kingdom of Guge, which flourished from the tenth through twelve centuries. Its artistic tradition was heavily influenced by Kashmiri sculptural and painting styles due to the presence of Kashmiri teachers and artisans active in the area during the period of the second dissemination of Buddhism in Tibet (c. 950-1200 CE). The copper colored brass alloy, the manner of modeling the rounded face with long, thin eyes, the cinched waist, and the figural proportions form in the present work are all reminiscent of Kashmiri prototypes that began appearing in Tibet at the turn of the eleventh century.
According to myth, Tara was born from a lotus bud arising from a tear of compassion shed by Avalokiteshvara and is one of the most popular female deities in Buddhism. Revered by the faithful for the protection and guidance she offers on the path toward enlightenment, Tara manifests in twenty-one forms, each representing specific qualities or actions, with Green Tara having a particular association with protection from fear. She holds her right hand with an open palm pointed downward signifying generosity. Her left hand is held in the abhaya mudra, or the gesture of reassurance and safety, which dispels fear and bestows divine protection and bliss.