An antique 19th Century or earlier (much earlier) tsakli painting in mineral pigments depicting a 5 pronged vajra, or dorje with the 'wheel of joy' (Tibetan: dga' 'khyil' at its centre, within a rainbow edged red torana with a lotus throne as its base, which is flanked by two trees. An honorific silk ribbon tipped with tiny bells passes through it. The dorje or vajra is the quintessential symbol of the 'diamond vehicle' or vajrayana Buddhist path. It symbolises the impenetrable, immovable, indivisible and indestructible state of enlightenment or Buddhahood of the enlightened mind. The vajra symbolises the male principle of skilful means, and is always held in the right, or male hand. The vajra represents the indestructible reality of Buddha's vajra mind as the unshakeable throne or ground of enlightenment. It is also regarded as prime symbol of 'shunyata' or emptiness - absorbing the unbreakable qualities of the diamond, the indestructible power of the thunderbolt and the indivisible transparent clarity of empty space. several almost obscured syllables in Tibetan text to the reverse side. 10.5 x 13.4cm