LARGE HEAVY OLD METAL GAU WITH REPOUSSE ASHTAMANGALA DECORATION AND TSATSA – TIBET – SECOND HALF 20^th C.

This old traditionally-shaped gau (or ghau) with brocade carry pouch originates from Tibet.

The front of this gau is handcrafted from metal and is skilfully embossed and chased with the eight auspicious symbols (ashtamangala), on the top a cintamani symbol (jewel of wish-fulfillment) and in the centre below Kirtimukha (“the face of glory”). In the centre of the gau is a viewing window with the same shape as the gau itself and with glass, where a polychrome tsatsa is visible, representing Vaishravana. Around the opening of the window is a beaded rim and at the base are lotus leaves. The whole front is bordered with a beaded rim. The content of the wooden box is unknown since I never opened the gau.

The body and the back are made of metal. The body has double side handles for suspending the box at a belt for transportation. A gau of this size is more likely to be placed on a house altar or tent altar. The gau is kept in custom-made decorated fabric pouch with a cloth strap for carrying.

Vaishravana, also known as Jambhala, is one of the four great heavenly kings, each of whom rules over a specific direction. He is the the guardian of the northern quadrant of the world. He is also considered god of wealth. He is also the leader of all the yaksas, beings with a nature between “fairy” and “ogre”. He is the Buddhist equivalent of the Hindu god Kubera. He is portrayed seated on his mount, the snow lion. He is displayed with a mongoose in his hand, carrying an umbrella or paraso  (chatra) as a symbol of his sovereignty. The mongoose is the enemy of the snake, a symbol of greed or hatred.

A Tibetan gau (or ghau) is usually a metal non-portable altar shrine or a portable relic or amulet holder attached to a belt, necklace or buckle in the hair.

The content of a gau can consist of small statues or images of deities or similar images, made of metal, wood, stone or clay. A small figurine made of clay with the help of molds is called tsatsa, often consecrated by lamas and sometimes with clay having been mixed with the ashes of a deceased lama. Miniature paintings, called tsakli, can also be stored in the gau, along with relics such as bone parts, hair, fragments of clothing from deceased teachers, also holly or blessed objects wrapped in yellow silk cloth, religious texts, prayer flags or medicinal herbs or pills and seeds. Also metal amulets (thokchas) and amulet papers, made and blessed by a lama to address specific life issues, such as health, happiness, prosperity, protection and attraction, can be put in a gau. The front of a gau usually bears a representation of a Buddha, deities, mantras or buddhist auspicious symbols and shows a viewing window in the middle of the larger ones. Larger gaus are traditionally kept in custom-made silk pouches.

The large non-portable gau is used for on the house altar. Nomads usually place the portable gau on the tent altar. Especially used during pilgrimages the portable ones are worn as protective talisman over the shoulder with a fabric or leather belt, so that they hang on the side or behind the body, or are attached to a belt around the waist. The small ones can be worn on the neck or in the hair.

Age: second half 20^th C.

Size (without pouch): height 33.5 cm, base 23.5 cm by 8.3 cm, maximum width (with handles) about 26.5 cm.

Weight (with pouch): 2986 gr.

Condition: This gau is in average condition. The gau is roughly finished and rusty on some places. Look carefully to the pictures, which are an integral part of the description. Consequently any damage or repair to the object not mentioned in the text, but visible in the photos, are considered to be described.

The description and explanation of the item have been made in good faith and to the best of my knowledge. The dimensions are measured manually and are therefore approximate. Colors may differ slightly from the original colors. This is a private sale as I am not a professional seller; I am a collector who liquidates his collection. Therefore, I do not accept returns unless in very exceptional cases. In any case, the return costs are to be paid by the buyer. I hope you will understand this. Please don’t hesitate to request before purchasing all information you need. Your satisfaction and positive feedback is very important to me. If you have any problems with the item or services, please feel free to contact me first before you leave negative feedback. I will do my best to solve any problems.

By purchasing this item, the buyers expressly declare that they are fully aware of the regulations and laws of their own country regarding the import of the purchased goods and that the seller cannot be held responsible for any costs or for any problems that may arise in their own country such as for example, the payment of taxes and duties, or the seizure or even the destruction by the customs or other authorities.

Combined shipping: If you would like to buy several objects at the same time, combined shipping is possible if those objects can easily be stored in the same package. In principle the shipping costs will only be charged once.