A TURQUOISE-INLAID GILT BRONZE FIGURE OF SHYAMA TARA NEPAL, KHASA MALLA OR TIBET, 14TH / 15TH CENTURY

seated in lalitasana with the right hand extended in varadamudra and left raised to the chest in vitarkamudra, adorned with ornamental jewellery inlaid with turquoise with a diaphanous robe tied at the waist and gathered in folds draping over the pedestal, crowned with a five-leaf tiara

Sotheby's New York, 18th March 2009, lot 23. 

As visible in the catalogue photo, there is minor bruising,dents, surface wear and loss to gilding, as expected for a figure of this age. Their front left base is dented, reverse base has a small loss. The mandorla and base plate are missing, but there are original consecrated sutras still preserved in the interior.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This sculpture has an elegance and delicacy as befits the sensuous and youthful female form of the goddess. Her hands are held in gentle and expressive gestures of charity and reassurance; attributes which are reinforced through the remnants of pigment, most notably in her eyes.

Although the craftsmanship of the sculpture is Nepalese in origin, the style is not immediately recognisable as the work of the Kathmandu Valley itself. The tall stepped throne with engraved designs is not a common type for pure Newar sculpture. Furthermore the figure is not associated with the bronzes of Tibetan taste that were commissioned from Newar artists for sites such as Densatil. The sculpture may possibly be Khasa Malla, where certain classical Nepalese traditions are followed but with individual elements drawn from other sources. In common with many Khasa Malla gilt bronzes, the ungilded section at the back of the throne is painted red. For a full discussion of Khasa Malla sculpture see Ian Alsop, The Metal Sculpture of the Khasa Malla Kingdom, in Orientations, Hong Kong, June 1994.