An antique, 19th Century or earlier tsakli depicting an assembly of sharp weapons, which in the hands of siddhas, dakinis, wrathful and semi-wrathful deities or dharmapalas become pure symbols, weapons of transformation and an expression of the deity's wrathful compassion which mercilessly destroys the manifold illusions of the inflated human ego. The 'copper needle and red thread' are the attributes of Marici symbolising the unity of wisdom and method; the sword represents the victory of enlightenment over the hindering forces of ignorance, severing the knots of illusion that bind beings to delusion and obscure the truth. The comb removes ignorance and delusion, while the curved sickle is used to cut off limbs which are then wielded by the wrathful deities to strike the enemies of the dharma. 7 lines of text including 3 areas of red illumination to the reverse. A small syllable to the lower edge.13.9 x 11.6cm