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CHINESE OBJECTS FROM THE COLLECTION
Chinese Bronzes of the Shang and Zhou Periods
Han Dynasty Bronzes
Early Chinese Ceramics
Sculpture from Tombs
Chinese Buddhist Sculpture
Tang and Liao Dynasty Metalwork
Ceramics of the Song and Jin Periods
Porcelains of the Yuan and Early Ming Periods
Imperial Chinese Ceramics of the 15th Century
Ceramics of the Late Ming Period
Qing Dynasty Porcelain
Landscape Painting in China
Jade and Lacquer in China
White Tara
Tibet or Mongolia; 17th century
Silver with gold and inlays of semiprecious stones
H. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm)
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection of Asian Art
1979.052
The seated pose and hand gestures identify this image as White Tara, one of the two most popular forms of the goddess Tara (the other is Green Tara, see Related Objects). White Tara is specifically associated with practices designed to lengthen one's lifespan and overcome life-threatening situations. Her special characteristics are her seven eyes -- the third eye located on her forehead and the other four on the palms of her hands and the soles of her feet. These eyes allow her to look upon beings in every realm of existence with wisdom and compassion. Made of silver, this image of White Tara is also lavishly decorated with gold and semiprecious stones such as turquoise. Slots in both of her upper arms suggest that lotuses, an attribute of White Tara, were once attached to the image.
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