Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21

Tibetan Gau Traveling Buddhist Protection Shrine with Buddha and Silk Case, 1900

$695
£534.64
€620.57
CA$980.12
A$1,097.89
CHF 576.65
MX$13,350.05
NOK 7,302.32
SEK 6,931.87
DKK 4,631.52

About the Item

A beautifully crafted Tibetan Buddhist traveling shrine, known as Gau. These objects were believed to be protective talisman and were used to carry a number of sacred objects such as a small Buddha figures, religious relics, mantras/script and images of bodhisattvas during long journeys away from home and local monasteries. They are traditionally crafted from various metals (copper, brass, silver) - some are even made from gold and adorned with precious stones. They are often quite intricately detailed (notice along the bottom the kirtimukha figure ,or "face of glory," in Sanskrit, a powerful demon and fearsome guardian who is believed to ward off evil and protect sacred spaces) with Buddhist symbols done in repoussé. It is common practice for Buddhist followers to wear the Gau around their neck or slung over their shoulder while on religious pilgrimages to an important temple or other holy site. We believe this piece dates back to the late 19th/Early 20th Century. The original silk carrying case is included. A very auspicious piece. Would be a great addition to any Tibetan Or Buddhist art or artifacts collection or make for an eye catching stand alone accent piece in about any setting. Dimensions: 5" high, 4.25" wide, 2" deep
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 5 in (12.7 cm)Width: 4.25 in (10.8 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
  • Style:
    Tibetan (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Late 19th/Early 20th Century
  • Condition:
    In very good to excellent vintage condition. The silk case may have some light natural organic wear consistent with age and use (please see photos). A beautiful and special piece overall.
  • Seller Location:
    Studio City, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2254345168212

More From This Seller

View All
Tibetan Bronze and Gilt Temple Shrine Sculpture of Deity Bodhisattva White Tara
Located in Studio City, CA
This is a fantastic piece. Perhaps part of a Tibetan temple shrine at one time. Beautiful faded gilt coloring and patina. We believe this is the Tibeat figure of the white Tara, the goddess of great compassion. She is akin to the Chinese figure of Quan Yin.  We are listing as 20th century but could be older. Nice size and weight. Would be a great addition to any collection and sure to stand out in any setting. From a large collection of Chinese and Tibetan antiques...
Category

20th Century Tibetan Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Wood Gilt Lacquer Buddha Buddhist Temple Traveling Zushi Shrine Altar
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful Japanese Buddhist portable traveling zushi shrine altar with Amida Buddha (Amitabha) concealed inside the folded wood doors. This work dat...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Metal, Gold Leaf

Japanese Bronze Edo Period Buddhist Temple Shrine Buddha Statue Amulet Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A gorgeous Japanese bronze temple shrine Buddha. The small piece has a beautiful aged patina and a wonderful, surprisingly hefty feel to it when held in...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Large Carved Wood, Lacquered and Gilt Seated Temple Shrine Thai or Burma Buddha
Located in Studio City, CA
Amazing piece. Heavy and solid. Carved from a single block of wood and wonderfully colored and decorated. Buddha has a serene facial expression with hands in the "Calling The Earth to Witness" Mudra position. Likely Burmese or Northern Thai. We are listing as 20th century but could be older. From a large collection of Asian artifacts...
Category

20th Century Thai Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Tall Wood & Gilt Standing Temple Shrine Thai Burmese Buddha, Early 20th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
Tall hand-carved wooden standing Buddha. Beautifully carved and finely detailed. Likely Thai or Burmese. Decorated with lacquer and gilt (please see the gilt offering patches. Very u...
Category

Mid-20th Century Thai Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Lacquer, Wood

Tibetan Indian Nepalese Bronze Amulet Temple Shrine Figures Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
An interesting work. We are not sure of the significance of the standing couple and snake hanging over their heads. Likely Tibetan or Indian/ Nepalese. Has a beautiful patina acquire...
Category

20th Century Indian Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

You May Also Like

Tibetan Gau Traveling Shrine with Silk Case, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Tibetan traveling shrines, known as Gau, were believed to offer protective powers and were used to hold and carry sacred objects during long journeys. Crafted over a century ago, a B...
Category

Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Copper, Brass

Tibetan Gau Traveling Shrine with Silk Case, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Tibetan traveling shrines, known as Gau, were believed to offer protective powers and were used to hold and carry sacred objects during long journeys. Crafted over a century ago, a B...
Category

Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Copper

Tibetan Repoussé Traveling Shrine, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Tibetan traveling shrines, known as Gau, were believed to offer protective powers and were used to hold and carry sacred objects during long journeys....
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Tibetan Tibetan Mounted Objects

Materials

Brass

Tibetan Travelling Buddha Shrine
Located in Houston, TX
A large antique Tibetan Buddha shrine or prayer box (also known as Gau) which encases a painted terracotta Buddha figure, all wrapped in a hand embroidered quilted silk brocade. This was used as traveling shrine and carried on one's person when away from home. Beginning with the “om” written on the left hand side of this traveling shrine, an itinerant Tibetan monk once traced his fingers clockwise over the embossed characters. As he did this, he recited "om ma ni padh mey hum," the universal Tibetan Buddhist prayer for the well-being of all sentient beings. Known as a Gau, this portable shrine...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Tibetan Antiquities

Materials

Copper, Silver

Tibetan Traveling Prayer Shrine Gau
Located in Redding, CT
Tibetan Traveling Prayer Shrine Gau. A large antique Tibetan Buddha shrine or prayer box (also known as Gau) which would encases a Buddha figure...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Anglo-Indian Antiquities

Materials

Metal, Brass, Copper

Tibetan Traveling Prayer Shrine Gau
$1,440 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 20th Century Large Antique Tibetan Ghau Prayer Box With Three Buddha
Located in Pomona, CA
Ghau is a prayer box worn as pendant by Buddhists as portable shrines which can be pray by prayer during their travel. This large Ghau prayer box (travel Buddha...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver, Bronze