An antique, 19th Century or earlier tsakli painting in mineral pigments and gold depicting a dark-skinned ascetic -faced figure wearing Brahmin white robes seated within a moonglow of a nimbus, a green mandorla around his head. He wears gold earrings, a gold and red band across his chest (possible meditation band?) and he holds aloft a damaru (pellet drum) with gold ribbons and kangling (thighbone trumpet) as he sits upon an animal skin-covered gold edged cushion. A blessing to the reverse. The cloth painting hs been rebacked with card.8 x 10cm.

Tsakli are ritual or initiation cards used in ceremonies such as empowerment, and are a visualisation aid designed so a lama or practitioner can carry all he or she requires to invoke deities or their ritual implements and create a mandala for a ritual wherever it may be needed.