J. Watt, Himalayan Art Resources (himalayanart.org), no. 8253

This is a Tibetan thangka from the 18th or early 19th century painted with ground minerals on cotton. It bears an inscription on the back that gives us indication about the donor. The silk brocade appears to be original. It represents Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rimpoche (Precious Teacher).

With a steady and composed gaze, the Padmasambhava appears without the usual mustache and goatee. His right hand holds an upright gold vajra (partially effaced) close to the heart. His left hand rests on the lap holding a longevity vase and a white skullcup filled with nectar. The ornate katvanga staff of a Vajrayana mendicant ests against the left shoulder. Adorned with gold earrings, Padmasambhava wears a lotus hat, a gift of the King of Zahor, of silk brocade topped with a half-vajra and a single vulture feather. Attired in robes of various colours reflecting the schools of the Vinaya, Bodhisattva and Mantra Vehicles, he sits atop a sun and moon disc above a multi-coloured lotus blossom rising from the calm waters of Dhanakosha Lake,encircled by a halo and rainbow sphere. Seated to the viewer's left is the consort Mandarava holding the longevity symbols of an arrow with a mirror and streamers in the right hand and a vase in the left. At the viewer's right is the consort Yeshe Tsogyal holding up a skull offering a bowl and a wish-fulfilling jewel.