Tibetan Gau

Battara · 9th February 2017, 04:51 AM

Greetings,

Here is a Tibetan Gau, a portable and wearable shrine.

This one has a case made of repoussed silver and turquoise. On either side is a silver roll where cord would go through for hanging and wearing.

Inside it contains 3 things:

1. an old hand made paper with Tibetan script on both sides. The ink is silver.

2. a small tangka (painting) of what I think is Mahakala, a protector deity in Tibetan Buddhism (also in Hindu and Sikh faiths). It is quite worn.

3. a small pressed clay stone with 10 Buddha sitting figures, perhaps the 10 disciples of the Buddha. Each is has their right hand in the mudra position pointing to Earth.

Any other help would be helpful.

Enjoy!

colin henshaw · 13th February 2017, 08:32 AM

Looks a nice old Gau, congratulations.

There was an interesting exhibition in the Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (England), a couple of years ago, on Tibetan Art & Culture. Additionally, a useful catalogue was published entitled "Buddha's Word, the life of Books in Tibet and Beyond", with a chapter on Gau amulets. Seemingly they would sometimes be worn in battle, as they were thought to render the wearer invunerable...

Battara · 20th February 2017, 04:12 AM

Thank you Collin. I may look this up. I am curious about these and other Tibetan items, especially ritual weaponry.

silberschatzimsee · 25th February 2017, 05:18 PM

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/23739/

The first few items. I just saw them a few days ago and was thinking what could have that been for and now I saw this thread

9th February 2017, 04:51 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	Tibetan Gau Greetings, Here is a Tibetan Gau, a portable and wearable shrine. This one has a case made of repoussed silver and turquoise. On either side is a silver roll where cord would go through for hanging and wearing. Inside it contains 3 things: 1. an old hand made paper with Tibetan script on both sides. The ink is silver. 2. a small tangka (painting) of what I think is Mahakala, a protector deity in Tibetan Buddhism (also in Hindu and Sikh faiths). It is quite worn. 3. a small pressed clay stone with 10 Buddha sitting figures, perhaps the 10 disciples of the Buddha. Each is has their right hand in the mudra position pointing to Earth. Any other help would be helpful. Enjoy! Attached Images

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13th February 2017, 08:32 AM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Looks a nice old Gau, congratulations. There was an interesting exhibition in the Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (England), a couple of years ago, on Tibetan Art & Culture. Additionally, a useful catalogue was published entitled "Buddha's Word, the life of Books in Tibet and Beyond", with a chapter on Gau amulets. Seemingly they would sometimes be worn in battle, as they were thought to render the wearer invunerable...

20th February 2017, 04:12 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	Thank you Collin. I may look this up. I am curious about these and other Tibetan items, especially ritual weaponry.

25th February 2017, 05:18 PM	#4
silberschatzimsee Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 90	http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/23739/ The first few items. I just saw them a few days ago and was thinking what could have that been for and now I saw this thread