An antique Tibetan tsakli painting, 19th Century or earlier (much earlier) depicting, within a red nimbus stands a large, yellow- bodied wrathful deity, probably Heyagriva, wearing a long black coat edged with red and lined with yellow over a green under garment, his sleeves flying to indicate his wrathful activity and vigour. He brandishes a sword to cleave ignorance in his right hand, a goad in his left. The elephant goad (ankusha) with a pair of golden half-vajras(symbolising the adamantine qualities of the goad's wrathful activities) at its top and terminal representing control as wisdom or clear understanding - the hooking of negativities or evil beings and the pulling or driving of all beings out of Samsara towards liberation. His blue-coloured flying hair with identifying horse head peeping from it is held in place by a 5 pointed skull diadem, and he wears golden bodhisattva ornaments and a tiger skin dhoti. This has its origin in Hindu tradition, where Shiva killed the tiger of desire and used its skin as his meditation seat, symbolising his transcendence over desire. Most wrathful deities are depicted wearing tiger-skin dhotis, indicating their powerful, masculine nature. His lotus throne is particularly striking with heart-shaped vivid red lotus petals. 1 syllable in Tibetan text to the reverse side. 9.4 x 11.4cm