Tara

Bihar, 10th century
Indian Museum, Calcutta

The goddess Tara, daughter of Avalokiteshvara, appears here in deep relief, carved out of the smoothly polished black chlorite that is characteristic of Pala art. The statue carries inscriptions around the outer edge of its mandorla, as well as on the base. Her right hand is extended in the usual varada mudra of giving. The carving, although creditable, lacks the finesse of the finest Pala sculptures, for example, in the unskillful rendering of the back of her left hand, and the awkward disposition of the left arm and right wrist.