An 19th Century tsakli depicting in mineral pigments depicting a dakini with the head of a bird of prey, brandishing a large sword in her right hand, her left in tarjani mudra, the gesture of warning, as she dances among the clouds with rainbow emanations being emitted by her energy. Like the warriors of ancient times, her head mask covers her head completely, with the skin hanging down her back. She also wears a leopard-skin dhoti. Dakinis such as she walk the skies and help guide men along the right path, and serve to connect the earthly and celestial spheres. They are able to remove physical hindrances and spiritual obstacles, and their ferocious looks are always directed against the obstacles which prevent men from reaching virtuous outcomes, such as sickness and. material need. Beings such as this are often encountered in the after death realms of the Bardo. 3 syllables of Tibetan text to the reverse. 9.7 x 11.5cm