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188

Copper Amulet Box ‘Gau’ with Tsa-tsa Buddha, Tibet, c. 1900

Currency:EUR Category:Collectibles Start Price:340.00 EUR Estimated At:560.00 - 700.00 EUR
Copper Amulet Box ‘Gau’ with Tsa-tsa Buddha, Tibet, c. 1900
Copper, metal, glass, silk, stone
Tibet, around 1900 or slightly later
Dragon and Cintamani in high relief on the lid
Banner of victory on back
Mountings on side
Diameter: 10 cm
Good condition

This Tibetan amulet box, called ‘ga’u’, has an intricately embellished metal front, which is decorated by a decor in the high relief. Two dragons, with their heads facing the jewel of desire, Cintamani, and the face of a mythical creature on the bottom, make up the front. Through the glass in the middle of the gau, a small Tsa-Tsa Buddha, made of stone on silk, becomes visible. The body is made of copper and the chased banner of victory can be seen on the copper back.



These gau amulet shrines are worn by Tibetan men over the chest, or under the shoulders. Personal amulets and lucky charms of the owner are kept in the shrines



The amulet box is in good condition with natural patina and slight traces of age and wear. There are small dents on the side and the occasional small scrape. The gau can be fastened with mountings on the side. The diameter is 10 cm, and the gau has, with the handles, a length of 11.5 cm.



Tibetan Gaus

Tibetan Gaus, portable amulet containers or prayer boxes, are mostly made from metal. They can be worn with a chain around the neck or attached to a hair slide. Gaus usually consist of two parts: the front is made of copper or silver or gold plating, often with finely chased decorations and sometimes set with gemstones. Images of Buddha, Buddhist symbols of good fortune and other deities are often seen. Larger Gaus often have a window-like opening in the centre and have an arched shape in the upper area. The back is often made from copper and sometimes shows fine engravings, symbols or inscriptions.




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