Made in Nepal Tibetan Buddhist Gau Box (Portable Shrine)

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Name: Made in Nepal Tibetan Buddhist Gau Box (Portable Shrine)
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZDF65
Price: 155.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$178

Includes any tariffs and taxes

A Gau is a Tibetan Buddhist amulet container or prayer box. It's also called Ghau or Gao depending on the dialect you're using. It's used to house magical amulets and similar mystical objects thought to ward off evil and protect against danger and disease. A Gau exhibits cultural similarity with similar artifacts across the world like the American Conjure Bags, African Mojo Heads, and South American Charm Vials. A Gau can contain mantras, pictures, small Buddha statues or medicinal herbs.

This glimmering copper artifact, gilded with 24-carat gold, has been handcrafted by some of the finest artisans from Nepal, in the traditional Tibetan artistic tradition. The front of the Gau has a window to display the contents inside. The back and side walls are made of copper and can be opened. It is designed to be strapped to a cross-belt, or as a locket. It has a brocade outer cover that can even be fitted and worn around with a waistband.

The front panel of the Gau depicts the Ashtamangala - the 8 auspicious signs. They are - the conch, the endless knot, a pair of golden fish, lotus flower, parasol, vase, dharmachakra, and the dhvaja or the victory banner. These powerful symbols are revered in various different traditions of Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism.

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Specifications

	ZDF65
	Copper Statue Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 4.7 inch
	Width: 4.2 inch
	Depth: 1.7 inch
	Weight 140 gm

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

A Portable Sanctuary of Auspicious Symbols

This exquisite Gau box, a masterpiece of Nepalese craftsmanship, serves as a profound symbol of devotion and spiritual protection. Fashioned from copper and adorned with a lustrous gilding of 24-karat gold, it represents a miniature portable shrine, designed to carry sacred elements close to the heart. Its intricate detailing and rich cultural heritage imbue it with a timeless spiritual significance, making it a cherished item for practitioners and art enthusiasts alike.

Embodiment of Buddhist Wisdom

The surface of this Gau box is a tapestry of auspicious symbols, each carrying deep meaning within Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The array of motifs includes the Precious Vase, symbolizing infinite blessings and the abundance of spiritual wealth. Alongside it, the Pair of Golden Fish represent freedom from the ocean of suffering and auspicious journeys. The Endless Knot, a symbol of eternity and the interconnectedness of all things, speaks to the Buddha's wisdom and compassion that are boundless. The Victory Banner signifies the triumph of the Buddha's teachings over ignorance and obstacles. The Lotus Flower, a potent symbol of purity and enlightenment, blooms amidst the designs, reminding us of the potential for spiritual awakening. The Dharma Wheel, representing the Buddha's teachings and the path to liberation, is also intricately depicted. At the top, a stylized lotus or crown form suggests divine presence and aspiration. These symbols are not merely decorative; they are visual manifestations of profound spiritual truths, intended to inspire and guide the practitioner.

A Vessel of Sacred Power

The central aperture of the Gau box is designed to hold sacred relics, mantras, or small statues, transforming it into a personal sanctuary. Historically, Gau boxes, or prayer boxes, have been carried by Tibetan Buddhists for centuries, serving as a portable altar that provides a sense of connection to the divine wherever one travels. They are believed to offer protection from negative energies and attract good fortune. The act of placing sacred items within is a ritual of consecration, infusing the box with spiritual energy. This particular piece, with its rich gold embellishments, evokes the grandeur of monastic treasures and the reverence with which such items are held. The traditional design, with its arched gateway and decorative borders, mirrors the architecture of sacred Buddhist temples, reinforcing its role as a sacred dwelling.

Crafted with Devotion in Nepal

Handcrafted in Nepal, a land deeply intertwined with Tibetan Buddhism, this Gau box reflects generations of artistic skill and spiritual devotion. The meticulous application of 24-karat gold gilding speaks to the high esteem in which such objects are held. The warm, earthy tone of the copper provides a grounding contrast to the brilliance of the gold, creating a visually captivating piece. Its compact size makes it ideal for personal adornment, display in a meditation space, or as a meaningful gift. Owning this Gau box is to possess a tangible link to the rich spiritual and artistic heritage of the Himalayas, a vessel designed to nurture the soul and inspire a path of wisdom and compassion.

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.