An antique, 19th Century or earlier tsakli painting in mineral pigments depicting two manifestations of Padmasambhava, as Guru Rinpoche, the Precious Teacher. In the first image he is dressed in his religious gown of red and green which is lavishly ornamented with fine gold patterns, has rich gold necklaces and earrings, and wears his characteristic red hat with the ear lappets turned up and dorje knop. He holds a skull cup filled with the Water of Life and a gold khatvanga topped by a trisula. He sits in the position of meditation on his lotus throne, surrounded by a radiant green nimbus with a gold-edged green mandorla beneath his Copper Coloured Mountain Paradise.
In his secondary manifestation, Padmasambhava wears a green and brown robe, is holding a dorje outstretched and holds skull-cup in his left hand. He holds a gold khatvanga beneath his arm as he sits on his lotus throne within a great radiant green nimbus, with a gold edged red mandorla.
Both these images are attended by worshipping lamas, and a plainly clad, but obviously important but humble figure sits in a subservient position to the lower left of the composition. 11 lines of Tibetan text in 2 hands plus 1 syllable below.
7.5 x 10.1cm