Description

Antique Tibetan Buddhist tsakli miniature painting, considered to be an important visual aid for monks in training when conferring empowerments. This tsakli painting depicts four of the Dharmapalas and their consorts. The Dharmapalas are fierce deity protectors who will wage war without mercy against demons and enemies of Buddhism. Some of the more commonly known Dharmapalas are Mahakala, Yama, Yamantaka, and Kubera. Each fierce deity embraces their consort in a Yabyum pose, and each holds a different attribute; The red Dharmapala at the top holds a skull topped staff with gold ribbon, the green Dharmapala at right holds a conch shell, the yellow Dharmapala at left holds a vajra topped staff, and the lighter red Dharmapala at bottom holds a staff topped with a human head.

17th/18th century

Dimensions: 4 1/2″ x 3 3/4″