Ga'u
Category
Metalwork
Date
1890 - 1904
Materials
silver, paper, brass & glass
Measurements
145 mm (H); 110 mm (W); 45 mm (D)
Order this imageCollection
Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire
NT 107394
Summary
A Tibetan amulet box (ga'u) made from brass with the the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Tibetan Buddhism used as a repoussé design in silver (the eight symbols are; the conch shell, the umbrella, the victory banner, the golden fish, the Dharma wheel, the eternal knot, the lotus flower and the vase of treasure). A protective deity made from pressed clay (tsa-tsa) would be placed inside the box (missing), however, it does contains a piece of paper with Tibetan writing. This box would have been carried as a talisman. 'A brass repousse box, partly silvered, containing charms' (Christie's entry)
Provenance
Purchased in 1986 by the National Heritage Memorial Fund from Francis Curzon, 3rd Viscount Scarsdale (1924-2000). Gifted to the National Trust in 1987 by the National Heritage Memorial Fund.
Marks and inscriptions
Paper contained in the box with Tibetan writing.