Stolen stone statue of Tara located in New York

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb. 3: A 13th/14th century full-size stone sculpture of goddess Tara has been located at Sotheby’s Auction, New York, USA.  The statue was found 42 years after it was stolen from a Hiti in Tholachhen Tole of Bhaktapur.  

According to the 'Lost Arts of Nepal' campaign, which is dedicated to the search and identification of stolen or lost Nepali heritage, the stolen sculpture of Tara was at Sotheby’s Auction, on 28 October 1991, Lot No. 150.   

This statue has also been mentioned by art historian Lain Singh Bangdel in his book  Stolen Images of Nepal (1989). 

In Bangdel book, the statue has been described as the best example of medieval Nepali craftsmanship on the basis of art skills. It can also be identified as Bhrikuti, Tara or Lakshmi. 

Similarly, Art Scholar Jurgen Schick also published the statue in his book, “Gods Are Leaving the County: Art Theft from Nepal”. 

The statue was also published by art scholar Ulrich von Schroeder in his book, “Nepalese Stone Sculptures”.