Tibetan Gau Travel Altar

Item Details

A Tibetan gau, or travel altar. This gau amulet box is constructed of quilted textiles with a nickel brass interior. In practice, the gau, which is shaped like a torana temple gateway, is used to hold sacred objects and functions as a personal shrine, often worn around the neck as jewelry. The gau is fashioned out of repoussé metalwork featuring auspicious symbols and three aurole-shaped windows (prabha-torana), each with small amulets of deities.

Condition

- minor wear, discoloration, and patination

Dimensions

Item #

17BOS203-179