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9" Tibetan Gau Box in Copper

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Name: 9" Tibetan Gau Box in Copper
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIS470
Price: 545.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$681

Includes any tariffs and taxes

The Tibetan Gau Box, also known as Ghau, serves as a prayer box and amulet container deeply ingrained in Tibetan Buddhist practices. It acts as a sanctified vessel for safeguarding revered items like an image of the individual's deity, enveloped in silk, alongside other sacred objects or blessed articles.

Traditionally, these Gaus were cradled within custom-designed silk pouches, cherished close to the heart by nomadic Tibetans during their journeys, bestowing both protection and blessings. Adorned with intricate carvings of mystical Tibetan creatures and auspicious symbols—snow lions, garudas, dragons, makaras, elephants, and wish-fulfilling jewels—the Gau showcases a substantial window, permitting a glimpse into the cherished contents it holds.

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Specifications

	MIS470
	Copper
	Height: 9.5 inch
	Width: 9 inch
	Depth: 2.5 inch
	Weight 1 kg

Delivery and Return Policies


	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

A Sacred Repository of Blessings

This exquisite Gau box, crafted from radiant copper, is a profound embodiment of Tibetan spiritual tradition. In Tibetan Buddhism, a Gau, also known as a prayer box or amulet box, serves as a sacred container for sacred objects, prayers, and images of deities. It is traditionally worn close to the heart by practitioners, acting as a portable shrine and a constant reminder of their spiritual path. The intricate design of this particular piece speaks volumes about the devotion and artistry involved in its creation.

Symbolism and Divine Embellishments

The surface of this Gau box is a testament to a rich tapestry of symbolism. The central opening, designed to hold a sacred image or relic, is framed by opulent golden architectural elements, evoking the form of a miniature temple or stupa. This central shrine is flanked by winding serpents, symbols often associated with protection, transformation, and the primal forces of nature. The surrounding field is adorned with an abundance of swirling patterns, reminiscent of auspicious clouds or the endless knot, one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols in Buddhism, representing the interconnectedness of all things and the eternal nature of the Buddha's teachings. Scattered throughout are delicate representations of lotus flowers, a symbol of purity and spiritual enlightenment. These motifs, meticulously rendered in both silver and gold accents on the copper base, are not merely decorative; they are potent visual prayers, inviting blessings and protection into the life of the wearer.

Guardians of the Dharma

Further embellishments include depictions of protective deities or guardian figures, each rendered with remarkable detail. These figures embody the fierce energy of the protector deities who safeguard the Dharma and its followers from obstacles and negative influences. The presence of these guardians underscores the functional aspect of the Gau box as a talisman, intended to provide spiritual defense and auspicious fortune. The entire composition is framed by a beaded border, adding a touch of regal elegance and ensuring the integrity of the sacred contents held within. This Gau box is more than just an object; it is a vessel for faith, a conduit for spiritual energy, and a beautiful piece of functional art that connects the owner to centuries of Tibetan devotional practices.

How are Nepalese copper statues made?

Nepalese statues and sculptures are best known for their unique small religious figures and ritual paraphernalia for over two thousand years. These are mainly cast in copper alloy. Nepal draws influences from the artistic styles of Buddhism and Hinduism, and therefore the sculptors of the country specialize in making the icons of both these religions. Over the years, Nepalese sculptures evolved into their own distinctive iconography. Some characteristic features of these sculptures that differ from other pieces are exaggerated physical postures, youthful and sensual features, languid eyes, wider faces having serene expressions, and ornate flourishes. The Buddhist deity icons of Nepal have tremendous demand in countries such as China and Tibet for ritual purposes in their temples and monasteries.

Nepalese statues and sculptures have a high copper content and therefore develop a slightly reddish patina on the surface as they age. However, the most unique feature of Nepalese copper statues is their decorative detailing. The pieces are heavily gilded and sometimes inlaid with semi-precious stones. This embellishment protects them from getting tarnished. The traditional lost-wax method for casting Nepalese copper statues remains the most practiced technique in Nepal for many centuries. This process involves many steps and requires skilled artists.

The first step in lost-wax sculpting is to make a wax replica of the desired Buddhist deity to be cast in copper. This replica is created by hand and therefore needs excellent artistic skills otherwise fine features will be lacking.

Once the wax replica is made, it is then coated with a special mixture of clay with a brush. This layer of clay is hardened when left to dry. A small hole is made on the base of the wax mould so that the wax flows away when it is heated.

At this stage, a hollow mould in the shape of the deity is obtained.

This is the time to pour liquid copper into the hollow mould which is then allowed to cool and harden inside a container of cold water. When the liquid metal has hardened, the mould is removed and the statue within is revealed.

The artist works on the details of the statue using various tools. It is then polished to get a shiny and lustrous surface.

Now comes the most important part of Nepalese art which is gold gilding. This is done by the traditional fire gilding method. A mixture of mercury and 18K gold is applied on the surface of the statue and heat is applied using a flame torch. The result is that mercury evaporates along with impurities, leaving a pure 24K gold finish.

The lost-wax method of sculpting is the most preferred technique

for artists to cast a metallic statue having intricate details. Since Nepalese copper sculptures require extraneous effort for giving a majestic look by adding special embellishments, it takes several weeks to complete one masterpiece. A 24K gold gilded copper sculpture retains its brilliant luster for many years and appears as like before. Nepalese sculptures continue to remain one of the finest specimens of the art of the East that have a strong aesthetic appeal that other sculptures cannot match.