A set of five finely painted Tibetan Tsakli paintings depicting Bardo deities, 19th century, [5]. Provenance: Suzy Lebasi / Soo Tze Oriental Antiques, Tsakali cards were used by travelling Buddhist teachers moving from one monastery to another in order to teach & initiate others in Vajrayana Buddhist teachings. When laid on the ground in the form of a mandala, they functioned to create a fixed sacred space like that of a temple. The deities shown on these initiation cards can include the Tathagata Buddha's, various bodhisattvas, fierce protectors, & the possible realms of rebirth. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 14 x 11 cm