An antique, 19th Century or earlier tsakli painting in mineral pigments depicting the 5 Nagas or snakes as a 'mandala'
of earrings for wrathful deities. Collectively the snake ornaments symbolise the rejection or destruction of anger, and
their writhing symbolises the 'turning away' of enemies.
Nagas or snakes dwell in the underworlds below land and sea, and especially in the watery realms of rivers, lakes, wells
and oceans. In the Buddhist cosmology they are assigned to the lowest levesl of Mount Meru. They are the underworld
guardians of treasures and concealed teachings. The Prajnaparamita Sutra especially (on the Perfection of Wisdom) was
taken from the undersea palace of the Naga King, where it was originally entrusted to the guardianship of the Nagas by
the Sakyamuni Buddha. 1 syllable in Tibetan text to the reverse. 8.2 x 10cm