An antique Tibetan tsakli painting, 19th Century or earlier (much earlier) depicting the white-bodied Vairocana Buddha, the Central or Primordial Buddha, seated in padmasana within a peach coloured nimbus and green mandorla, his hands in dharmacakra mudra - the gesture of turning the Wheel of the Law. He is surrounded by offerings - the dorje, the ultimate symbol of Vajrayana Buddhism (male); the bell symbolising the offering of sound (female) - and together they represent the perfect union of method and wisdom. Above the Buddha to the left is the bhumpa or vijaya kalasa with its peacock feather stopper - the All Victorious vase which is used during empowerment rituals to represent the central deity of the mandala; and the 5 jewelled crown set above the Buddha's head symbolising his all victorious conquest of malevolent forces and ignorance. 10.9 x 13.6cm