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189

Gau Amulet Box with Chased Silver Front, Tibet, 1900

Currency:EUR Category:Collectibles Start Price:450.00 EUR Estimated At:720.00 - 900.00 EUR
Gau Amulet Box with Chased Silver Front, Tibet, 1900
Silver, copper
Tibet, around 1900 or slightly later
Image of Buddha inside with Tibetan inscription on the back
Finely chased decorations with symbols of good fortune on the front
Mountings on the side
Weight: 219.25 g
Measurements: 13 x 11.5 x 5 cm (height x width x depth)
Good condition
Provenance: from an important private collection in Austria

This Tibetan amulet box, called ga’u, consists of a richly decorated silver front and a copper back. Gau amulet shrines are worn by Tibetan men across the chest or under the arms. A window-like opening reveals a devotional image of Buddha. In this case the image shows a Tibetan inscription on the back. The detailed front is finely decorated in relief with Buddhist symbols of good fortune, such as lotus flowers – the symbol of purity – the wish-fulfilling jewel Cintama?i, the dharmacakra, the eternal knot and the shankha or conch. The casket is curved at the top and can be mounted with handles on the side. These prayer boxes are used to store personal amulets and other objects.The Gau amulet casket is in good condition with common traces of age and wear, such as small dents and scratches. The Buddha image is considerably abraded. The Gau measures 13 cm in height, 11.5 cm in width and 5 cm in depth.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 with 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. Shipping costs excl. statutory VAT and plus 2,5% (+VAT) shipping insurance.
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