Tibetan Silver & Turquoise Ga’u Box

This Tibetan  ga’u or amulet box is made of hammered silver sheet, and a hammered copper backing plate.  Usually, it would have been worn by a woman.

It is of stylised dorje (thunderbolt) form and is decorated with applied silver filigree, pearled silver wire, and 17 turquoise cabochons. There is a suspension tube at the top, and a dorje element at the bottom.

The silver filigree on the face of the ga’u is arrayed as if emanating from a stylised lotus bud denoted by the central turquoise cabochon. The edging is achieved by embossing or stamping the silver.

This example is more pleasing than many because not only are turquoise cabochons set into the face of the ga’u but also on the suspension loop and the lower dorje element.

The sides of the box, like the front plate, are of plain, hammered silver.

Such boxes were worn suspended from the neck as talismanic, protective devices. They held scripture and other auspicious items.

Clarke (2004, p. 85) mentions that this type of ga’u was popular in the southern border areas of Tibet and also in the Indian Himalayan areas of Spiti and Lahul.

The example here is in fine condition and has obvious signs of age and wear.