Product Description

Tibetan Healing Buddha Gau Ghau Prayer Box Shrine 1

Material: Silver
Style: Tibet
Size: Height 8.5 cm, Width 7 cm, Depth 4 cm
Order Number: MHSTHBGGPBS1

Tibetans carry a Gau Ghau Prayer Box as a portable shrine in a cloth case. This one can be attached to the waist. These portable shrines were made to contain a small image of the Buddha when travelling. They can also contain written prayers, miniature paintings, relics or special amulets, and medicinal herbs that are designed to protect the individual from evil spirits when travelling.

The shrine which holds the image of the Buddha is made of silver decorated with repoussé work and placed in a woven bag.

Repousée is a metalworking technique in which a malleable metal is shaped by hammering from the reverse side to create a design in low relief.

In a Tibetan home, when they are not travelling, a Gau Ghau is kept on the family altar. They are worn by men, women and children, monks and laymen, and come in various shapes and sizes. Depending on the size, they may be worn around the neck, across the chest or attached to the waist. Many travellers wear 4 to 12 of them for dangerous journeys, and would set them up as an altar when travelling.

Gau Ghaus are only found in Tibet or places influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, for example Bhutan. No other Buddhist countries have anything like them.

In a rare one, such as this, the cord, complete with ornamental beads, and casing, is still attached.

There are some examples in Four Centuries of Silver, Personal Adornment in the Qing Dynasty and After, Margaret Duda, Times Editions, 2002, page 108.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).