Bodhisattva Tara
- Audio guide stop: 611
- Gallery: Room 33
- Culture: Buddhist; Anuradhapura
- Made in: Sri Lanka
- Date: 8thC (circa)
- Object type: figure
- Materials: bronze; gold
- Museum number: 1830,0612.4
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
Listen to the free audio guide
About this object
Before you stands a striking bronze and gilded figure of "Bodhisattva Tara," a revered deity in Buddhist tradition. Cast in solid bronze, the figure rises with an elegant posture and intricate detailing.
Notice the high tubular coiffure known as a jatamukuta, held in place by a medallion flanked by makara—mythical water creatures. The medallion likely once held gemstones, as did the deity’s eyes. Her elongated earlobes and finely detailed hands reflect a mastery of metalwork.
She holds her right hand in the varadamudra gesture, associated with granting boons, while her left hand is shaped as if to hold a flower. The figure is missing parts of two fingers and several toes, but these do not detract from the grace of the overall composition.
This figure was created in Sri Lanka around the 8th century and acquired by the British Museum through a letter from Sir Robert Brownrigg. It was discovered near Trincomalee and Batticaloa in the northeast of Ceylon, preserving a glimpse of ancient island artistry.
See it in person
Bodhisattva Tara is on display in Room 33 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and type its audio guide stop number, 611, from the gallery label, or take a photo of it, to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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