An antique, 19th Century or earlier tsakli in mineral pigments depicting an assembly of insignia which identify certain wrathful and semi wrathful Heruka deities, such as Vajrapani, Vajrakila, Heyagriva and Garuda. An elephant goad (ankusha) with a pair of golden half-vajras(symbolising the adamantine qualities of the goad's wrathful activities) at its top and terminal representing control as wisdom or clear understanding - the hooking of negativities or evil beings and the pulling or driving of all beings out of Samsara towards liberation.
The golden chakra - the 'wrathful wheel' of Buddhism is used to imprison the effigies of malignant spirits, but as the Dharmachakra of Buddhism is the emblem of non-violence. If held by a wrathful deity it symbolises the setting in motion of the Noble Eightfold Path. The golden/yellow naga twisted to form an earring is one of te insignia of a wrathful deity of the southerly direction.

1 line of Tibetan text plus a small syllable to the reverse. 10.4 x 12.7cm