Tibetan gau of the XIX century. Silver plated copper, leather and crystal. Hand-painted terracotta figure inside. It has marks of use and wear. Measurements: 15 x 10 x 6 cm. Gau or Tibetan reliquary in chiseled copper and decorated with floral corollas worked in relief, forming an intricate ornament characteristic of these amulets. It houses a hand-painted terracotta Bodditsatvua. The figure is protected by a crystal. It has the shape of a box with a pointed arch top. Gaus are used to contain sacred relics, talismans, mantras printed on paper or parchment, or small statues of deities. It is believed that wearing a Gau close to the body provides spiritual protection.

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