A Sino-Tibetan Buddhist painting, southwest China, 19th C. The mix of Chinese and Tibetan figures indicates that the painting was probably made either in Sichuan or Yunnan province, areas that border with Tibet. All figures are shrouded in clouds as a sign it has all to do with the spiritual world. At the lower left a military man with bow and arrow, at the right a high ranking priest ringing the Ghanta (holy bell), both with their retinue. In the middle at the lower end we can see, a bit lost, the Chinese god of longevity Shou Lao. In the middle section at the left we see the Tibetan god Yamantaka, the conquerer of death with his bullshead and multiple arms. At the right Vaisravana is portrayed, riding the mythical snowlion. Both with their retinue. Then there is a row of roundels showing the different emanations of the Buddha. Finally at the top end we see the severe Tibetan god Mahakala not portrayed with six arm but with eight holding Chinese symbols. Mahakala is flanked by groups of Chinese gods. The painting therefore was made on the cutting edge of two cultures. The subject of the painting appears to be the protection of the purity of the Buddhist teachings. It is possible that it was used for meditation, just like Thangkas, in a monastery or in a family home. The rod at the lower end is smooth and patinated indicating the painting was rolled up and off many times. Somewhere near the end of the 19th C. much of the colouring has been freshed up, probably because of wear. The clouds and the arms of Yamantaka show the older worn state that should be dated around 1800.