Masterpiece - Antique Java Style Majapahit Standing White Devi Tara Statue - 48cm/19"

Antique Java Style Majapahit Standing White Devi Tara Statue - 48cm/19"

Measurements Height 48cm/19"

A museum quality antique Java‑style standing bronze Devi Tara in the refined 13th‑century Majapahit tradition. Graceful and poised, she embodies the serene compassion of one of Buddhism’s most beloved female Bodhisattvas.

A standing White Tara of this scale and refinement is a rare and compelling presence. Rising 48cm in height, this Indonesian bronze figure combines spiritual grace with an elegant, elongated silhouette, capturing the compassionate energy of Tara while showcasing the sophistication of classical Indonesian Buddhist art.

White Tara is revered across the Buddhist world as the embodiment of long life, healing and protective compassion. Here she appears in a poised, almost weightless stance, her body subtly swaying in tribhanga, the gentle triple‑bend posture that suggests both movement and serenity. The overall impression is one of quiet vigilance: a deity fully present, yet utterly composed.

In Buddhist tradition, Tara is a Bodhisattva and revered goddess of compassion, responding swiftly to the needs and prayers of all beings. 

Iconography and Gesture

In this sculpture, Tara holds a fully open lotus flower in her left hand and a lotus bud in her right, a beautiful pairing that symbolises purity, spiritual unfolding and the continuum of awakening from potential to full bloom. The open blossom evokes wisdom in full expression, while the bud hints at future realisation and the ever-renewing possibilities of compassion. These attributes reinforce White Tara’s role as a guide and protector through all stages of the spiritual path.

Her long, slender arms extend with natural ease, and the hands are modelled with particular sensitivity, the fingers finely tapered yet strong. The alignment of shoulders, torso and hips is beautifully balanced, giving the figure a subtle rhythm that leads the eye from the expressive hands back toward the tranquil upper body.

Headdress, Ornaments and Drapery

The head is crowned with an elegant, high chignon, the hair gathered in tight, stylised spirals that echo Indonesian interpretations of classical Indian and Himalayan prototypes. Around the neck and upper body, richly layered jewellery—necklaces, armlets and a long festoon of beaded strands—falls in carefully ordered cascades. These ornaments, while intricate, do not overwhelm the figure; instead, they accentuate the vertical sweep of the body and underline her status as a celestial bodhisattva.

The long, clinging garment is especially striking. It wraps the figure in fluid folds that fall in soft, continuous lines to the base, yet its surface is alive with incised motifs: circular medallions, scrolling patterns and delicate borders that catch the light across the gentle green-brown patina of the bronze. The sculptor has managed to combine the sense of weight in the drapery’s lower folds with an almost textile-like lightness around the hips and thighs, a hallmark of refined Indonesian workmanship.

The Bronze and Its Surface

Cast in bronze, the statue has a beautiful, naturally variegated surface, with tones of dark olive, warm brown and softer highlights on the more exposed areas. The patina enhances the modelling without obscuring detail, allowing the delicate incisions of the textile patterns and jewellery to remain crisp. Subtle wear on projecting elements, such as the edges of the garment and the tips of the lotus petals, lends the figure a sense of quiet age and dignity consistent with a carefully preserved devotional work.

Original surface quality and patina is highly sought after, and this White Tara exemplifies the kind of depth and character collectors prize—where the metal seems to glow softly from within rather than simply reflect light at the surface.

The Base and Sense of Presence

Tara stands upon a robust multi-tiered base, its sides enriched with repeating vertical motifs and bead-like mouldings that echo temple architecture. The base not only grounds the figure physically, but also elevates her presence, creating a clear transition from the mundane world to the sacred space she defines. The toes of her leading foot just touch the upper platform with convincing weight, a small but telling detail that shows the sculptor’s understanding of balance and anatomy.

Viewed from all angles, the statue has been fully resolved in the round. The back is treated with the same care as the front, with the fall of the garment and the continuation of jewellery and hair clearly modelled rather than left summary. This completeness is typical of higher‑quality Indonesian bronzes and lends the piece strong sculptural integrity.

A Museum Quality Indonesian White Tara

At 48cm, this White Tara is large enough to command a significant presence on an altar, console or dedicated pedestal, yet still intimate enough to reward close, contemplative viewing. The combination of slender, graceful proportions, refined casting, intricate surface decoration and harmonious patina places it firmly in the realm of museum‑quality Indonesian Buddhist sculpture.

For collectors, this is precisely the kind of piece sought out. A devotional image that marries iconographic clarity with artistic excellence, offering both spiritual resonance and outstanding aesthetic appeal. As an object for practice, display or scholarly appreciation, it stands as a magnificent testament to the enduring beauty of Indonesian Buddhist bronze casting.

SATISFACTION GUARANTEE - We have been offering SE Asian Art for many years and are proud of the reputation we have developed for fair and honest listings. However, if for any reason, whatsoever, you are unhappy with your purchase please just let us know and we will provide a full refund. We want you to be 100% happy with your purchase.