Tara – Khmer Revival bronze statue, 20th century – lot 128

Estimated value: €1,200 – €1,600

Standing bronze statue of Tara, executed in the Khmer Revival style and inspired by the classical Angkor tradition. The figure displays an elegant, feminine physique with subtle hip positioning and refined breast modeling, fitting the iconography of Tara as a female bodhisattva within Mahayana Buddhism. In her hand, she holds a lotus, the fixed attribute representing purity, compassion, and spiritual awakening.

The posture is calm and devotional, without dance movements or narrative context, which clearly distinguishes the statue from apsara representations. The crown, jewelry, and belt are carefully modeled and refer to Angkor motifs, but in a simplified and stylized execution characteristic of the Khmer Revival period. The surface displays a uniform, naturally aged patina without deep archaeological corrosion, consistent with a 20th-century bronze devotional statue. The base is sleek and closed, supporting identification as a later, but traditionally crafted religious statue intended for placement in a home or temple context. With its slender proportions and serene appearance, this is a convincing example of Khmer Revival art, in which classical forms were consciously revived. Dimensions: H 67 × W 16 cm  
Weight: 3.4 kg  
Material: bronze  
Origin: Southeast Asia (Khmer tradition)  
Period: ca. 1910–1950