Green Tara. (Tibetan: drol ma jang ku).

A Buddhist sculpture such as this is created using a lost wax technique. With wax as the medium the artist first crafts the figure, such as Tara, with all the features. A clay mold is then tightly packed around this finished wax figure. Finally metal is poured into the base. The molten metal burns the wax away. After cooling, the mold is broken and the metal image is cleaned and polished. Precious stones and gold gilt are sometimes applied along with the unique Tibetan custom of painting the faces and hair of most sculpture. The consecration of the sculpture is done last, filled with precious substances and prayers written on paper, it is then sealed, with an auspicious symbol etched on the bottom. According to religious custom only now is the object worthy of ritual worship.

Jeff Watt 5-2005