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Rare large Gau or Ghau from Tibet, also known as a Shrine Box, late 19th or early 20th century. It is made of alloy hammered by hand and richly decorated on the sides, the front part is silver plated. Some representations are in relief: in the upper part Garuda as keeper, in the lower part a keeper and on the sides the eight symbols of good omen of Tibetan buddhism: parasol, pair of fishes, treasure vase, lotus, white-spiraling conch shell, endless knot, victory banner, and the Dharma wheel. In the center behind a glass a clay statue painted by hand representing Manjushri, the buddha of wisdom and intelligence. The back side of shrine box is the covering and the space between this one and the statue is full of prayer flags. The Gau is in its original purse with transport handles. It is made in richly decorated cotton and closes with Brass Lotus Button. The Gau and the bag are both in good conditions with different signs of wearings as in the photo. Gau boxes are portable shrines in which images of the owner’s personal deities are kept, together with other sacred objects.Tibetan monks often use the Gau in their houses or during travels to carry holy items such as images of divinities or mantra, to ward off evil. 15.75 x 13.78 x 4.33 inches (40 x 35 x 11 cm), 3.67 kg; PROVENANCE: Private collection, Italy