Antique 24k Tara Statue – Kathmandu Valley, 17th Century
Fire-gilded bronze Tara statue from the Kathmandu Valley, crafted in the 17th–18th century. The surface shows original gold applied by traditional mercury gilding, with deep natural patina and confirmed Himalayan ageing patterns. Height: 41 cm.
Valuation Report
Fire-gilded bronze Tara statue from the Kathmandu Valley, crafted in the 17th–18th century. The surface preserves original 24 kt gold leaf applied by traditional mercury-amalgam technique, with Himalayan patina, mineral accretions and stable gilding islands.
Material and technique: Nepalese fire-gilded bronze (24 kt gold, mercury-amalgam gilding); Newar cire-perdue casting; surface shows natural cuprite/malachite formation, salt crystallisation and layered patina consistent with long-term ritual use.
Dimensions: height 41 cm; traditional lotus-base construction; fine jewellery, crown elements and original casting corrections on the reverse.
Period and region: Nepal, Kathmandu Valley, circa 1650–1800.
Condition: original gilding preserved with natural surface wear; no modern re-gilding, chemical patina, solder repairs or recent interventions detected.
Examination: assessed with museum-grade analytical methods including daylight inspection, UV fluorescence, and high-magnification microscopy of gilding layers and corrosion patterns.
1stbuddha retail valuation (guidance): €20 000 – €22 000.
Antique 24k Tara Statue – Kathmandu Valley, 17th Century
Description
This finely cast fire-gilded Tara originates from the Kathmandu Valley and dates to the 17th–18th century. The statue shows classic Newar craftsmanship: elegant proportions, detailed jewellery, and the characteristic lotus flower held beside the shoulder. Under magnification, the surface reveals the original 24 kt mercury-amalgam gilding, preserved in natural wear patterns.
Microscopic analysis shows deep copper-oxide structures, crystalline salt deposits, and mineral accretions consistent with long-term Himalayan storage conditions. The back features a traditional pre-casting correction (cold-shut), a common hallmark of authentic Nepalese cire-perdue bronzes. UV-light inspection confirms organic, non-modern patina and long-term ritual use, with no traces of modern repairs or chemical coatings.
Height: 41 cm.
Origin: Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.
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Antique 24k Tara Statue – Kathmandu Valley, 17th Century
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