Idol

I am looking for an appraisal with intentions to sell.

Item Report – Gilt Bronze Figure of Green Tārā (Tibetan Buddhist)

What it is:
Your piece is not a Hindu “idol,” but a Tibetan-Buddhist deity—Green Tārā (Śyāmatārā), the savior/compassionate heroine. She’s identified by:

• the lotus flowers rising to both shoulders,
• the teaching/boon mudrā of the right and left hands, and
• the jeweled five-point crown and ornaments typical of Himalayan images.

Materials & making:

• Copper-alloy (bronze/brass) cast, then hand-chased.
• Partial gilding (gold over the skin areas); the face is “cold-gold” painted and detailed with mineral pigments.
• Small turquoise-colored inlays in the crown (usually glass/copper-turquoise).
• Polychrome green/white paint on the lotus leaves.
• The underside shows a sealed copper base plate engraved with a double-vajra (visvavajra)—a symbol often used when a statue is ritually sealed after consecration.

Dimensions/weight (owner): c. 5 in. high; about 1 lb.

Dating & origin

Stylistic features (turquoise inlay, bright polychrome, the style of the lotus base and sealed plate) point to Nepalese workshop production for the Tibetan market, late 20th century (c. 1980–2005). Earlier Himalayan bronzes (19th–early 20th c.) usually have thicker mercury gilding, less bright paint, and different finishing to the base seal.

Condition

Overall good: gilding still bright; some wear and small losses to the green/white paint on the lotus leaves; minor rubbing to high points; base plate intact. No obvious structural breaks in the photos.

Market value (2025)

Values vary by size, gilding quality and age. For a 5-inch, late-20th-century, Nepalese gilt bronze Green Tārā:

• Retail / gallery asking: $200–$350
• Fair-market / auction or private sale: $100–$200

(If the figure were earlier—19th/early 20th century—with heavy original mercury gilding and no modern paint, similar pieces can move into the high hundreds or more. Your example appears later.)

Notes on authentication

• A non-magnetic bronze body and a separately fitted, sealed base plate are correct.
• The double-vajra engraving and the bright facial painting are typical of Nepalese consecrated statues from the last few decades.
• Avoid polishing; it can remove gilding. Dust with a soft brush only.

For a formal appraisal (insurance, donation, or higher-value attribution), consult a specialist in Himalayan art—look for dealers/appraisers affiliated with organizations such as the Appraisers Association of America or a museum Asian-art department. Bring clear photos of the front, back, underside, and close-ups of the face, crown, and base