Gesar or Drala - Update
This painting has previously been identified in a Chinese publication (2003) as Ling Gesar. However, no textual evidence of any kind or explanation was offered. The publication by Jampal Gyatso also dates the painting to 1696 despite the 19th century Eastern Tibetan painting style.
The HAR staff have both inspected the painting and photographed the front and back - no inscriptions have so far been found. Also, no reference or description for this figure has been found in the Gesar ritual text of Ju Mipam, 1846-1912, (ge sar rgyal po'i gsol mchod skor).
There is however a new possibility. It appears that Ju Mipam and Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro, 1893-1959, were influenced by the writings of Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje , 1800-1866. There is now a possibility that a form of Gesar matching the depiction of this Drala Warrior might be found in the ritual texts of Do Khyentse.
Further to that, a teacher of Ju Mipam by the name of Ngagwang Palzang wrote about Gesar and is well known as the author of the Gesar Arrow Divination and ritual practices. His writings now need to be looked at with reference to the image of the painting above.
The search for an accurate identification of this warrior figure continues...