19th-early 20th century AD. A silver, gold, and blue coloured gilt-bronze figure of a Green Tara variant known as Arya Tara (White Tara) sitting cross-legged on a lotus-flower dais with hands in the gesture of reassurance, wearing an elaborate crown, flowers to her sides, earrings and neck ornamentation; blue chignon enamelling(?) to her hair, depicted with downcast eyes and a gently smiling mouth; the serene face and blue chignon are framed by a five-pointed crown, behind which is a gilt Buddhist jewel and large floral earrings; the two blue strands of her hair fall elegantly onto each shoulder, emphasising her necklaces and armlets; both hands are in Vitarka mudra, one at chest height and one resting on her knee, both delicately holding the stem of a blooming lotus flower over each of her shoulders; her right leg is stretched out while the left is folded neatly on top of her lotus flower throne. Cf. Veleanu, M., Tibetan Artifacts, Hong Kong, 2009, p.138, for a comparable example and discussion.2.5 kg, 30cm (11 3/4"). From the celebrated personal collection of art formed by the famous anthropologist, artist, and television presenter Desmond Morris; previously in an Oxfordshire, UK, collection. Green Tara is the most important Buddhist goddess. She takes on twenty one forms that are specific to various forms of suffering in the world. Our Tara is from the celebrated personal collection of art formed by the famous anthropologist, artist, and television presenter Desmond Morris. He was the author of 1967 book, 'The Naked Ape' and 2004 'The Naked Woman'.