An antique, 19th Century or earlier (much earlier) depicting in mineral pigments depicting an 'open' 9 pronged dorje within a burst of flames and resting upon a sea of blood. The flames and open prongs of the dorje reflect its wrathful quality of destroying anger, which may identify it with the dark-blue Buddha Akshobya at the centre of the mandala. Akshobya - the 'immutable one' is the Lord of the Vajra Family, representing the transmutation of anger into spacious or mirror-like wisdom. 1 syllable and 1 line of text to the reverse. 9.5 x 12.8cm