Lot 45D
19th C. Tibetan Gilt Silver Gau Box w/ Turquoise Inlay
19th C. Tibetan Gilt Silver Gau Box w/ Turquoise Inlay
Starting Bid: $3,000
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Central Asia, Tibet, ca. 19th century CE. A remarkable 19th century Tibetan gau (or gawu) box, fashioned from silver and richly ornamented with turquoise inlays, gilt details, and delicate filigree. The box opens on a hinge, allowing it to serve both as a portable amulet container and as a miniature shrine when set upon a flat surface. At its heart, the design centers on a symmetrical arrangement of turquoise cabochons, framed by scrolling silver wirework and bordered with gilded beading, evoking both protective and auspicious qualities. The sides of the box are encircled with bold coiled silverwork, further accented by projecting finials and a teardrop turquoise mount at the base. A modern beaded band, woven with colorful glass beads, has been added to allow the gau to be worn as a striking pendant. Size: 5" L x 5.7" W x 1.5" H (12.7 cm x 14.5 cm x 3.8 cm); silver quality: 86%; gilding quality: 78% (18.72 karats); total weight: 476.7 grams
Amulet boxes such as this were among the most personal and powerful objects in Tibetan Buddhist practice. Known as receptacles (ten), their role was to encapsulate sacred contents - such as votive figures, mantras, relics, or textiles touched by holy figures - believed to embody the blessings (jinlab) and power (tu) of buddhas and lamas. They were worn to protect the owner from illness, misfortune, or spiritual obstacles, and were understood as mobile shrines that accompanied their wearers on pilgrimages and daily life alike.
The ornamentation of this gau reflects both its sacred function and its symbolic role in projecting wealth, status, and spiritual devotion. Silver was prized for its protective associations, while turquoise, long revered across the Himalayan world, was valued for its connotations of life force, fortune, and connection to the divine. The intricate repousse and filigree work speaks to the artistry of Tibetan metalworkers, who were regarded as craftsmen of elevated status due to the religious significance of their creations. This piece embodies the intimate link between art, devotion, and protection in Tibetan culture - an object both personal and transcendent, offering its wearer a channel of connection to the unseen powers of the Buddhist cosmos.
Provenance: private Lafayette, Colorado, USA collection; ex-Material Culture, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; ex-David W. and Barbara G. Fraser, Yardley, Pennsylvania, USA
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#197686
- Condition: Beaded strand is a later addition and bottom turquoise inlay has been replaced. Some nicks to inlay and abrasions in areas, but, otherwise, excellent with good remaining detail and gilding.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |