talisman - Silver - Nepal - mid 20th century

This object is a ghau or gau, a traditional portable reliquary box from Nepal, used by practitioners of Nepalese Buddhism. This ghau serves as a portable sanctuary. These ghaus are designed to contain protective items, such as Buddha statuettes, sacred relics, prayer texts, or medicinal herbs. Often worn as a pendant close to the heart during travel, they are considered amulets protecting the wearer from negative influences. It is made of silver with a finely chased decoration (often scrollwork, foliage motifs, or auspicious symbols). There may be inlays of stones such as coral or turquoise. The back of the object is frequently composed of a removable copper plate to access the interior compartment. This talisman has been handmade. This talisman comes from Nepal.