VAJRAPANI - THE BODHISATTVA OF STRENGTH, Tibet, 19th ct. Tempera and gold on cotton, original brocade mounting, with protective cloth. Stemming from the Gelukpa school, established by Tsong Khapa with his two disciples Gyaltshap and Khädup in the upper centre of the painting, the centre dominated by the powerful Vajrapani holding the diamond sceptre in his right hand, together with Avalokiteshvara to the left and Manjushri to the right forming the guardian triad, embodying strength, compassion, and wisdom. The thangka has a strong protective connotation, given by the appearance of Yama and yami on a bull, the blue and six-armed Shadbhuja-Mahakala, the god of fortune and protector of worlds Vaishravana, the oracle deity Pehar Gyalpo on a white snow lion, the mighty female deity Palden Lhamo as well as a bTsän demon on a red horse.