A SET OF FIVE COPPER AND SILVER ALLOY G'AU RELIQUARY BOXES, TIBET, 19TH CENTURY | 十九世紀 藏傳嘎烏盒一組五件

The Tibetan g’au are amulet boxes employed by Tibetan Buddhists to contain religious relics, historically used to protect pilgrims during their travels and to serve as a portable shrine. The central window allows the precious objects inside to be viewed while protected. Compare two similar boxes from the Estate of Mrs. Angela Jucker-Grunauer collection, sold in our New York rooms, 15th September 2018, lot 1459. See also a g’au box of the same form but differing designs, such as one decorated with six “throne ornaments” in the Rubin Museum of Art, gift of Ralph Redford, C2008.21, HAR57003.