Not currently on display at the V&A

Charm Box

19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

An amulet case or 'ga'u' of copper and brass was used to contain rolled prayers and blessed or holy objects believed to protect the wearer from evil. Such boxes were worn by men suspended on a strap or sash across the shoulder or around the waist when travelling.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Hammered and chased copper box, gilt and chased brass image, partly tinted in colours
Brief description
Ga'u of hammered and chased copper, containing gilt image of Yamantaka, E.Tibet, 19th century.
Physical description
A charm box (Ga'u) made of hammered and chased copper containing a gilt and chased brass image of Yamantaka and a piece of red silk with a Tibetan inscription. The sliding front is open to show the image, and has a band of foliage at the top. Yamantaka is represented in his nine-headed form, with sixteen legs and thirty-four arms. The god and his Shakti stand on a lotus pedestal and trample numerous bodies underfoot.
Dimensions
  • Length: 8.9cm
  • Width: 6.4cm
Marks and inscriptions
(Piece of red silk with Tibetan inscription contained within charm box.)
Summary
An amulet case or 'ga'u' of copper and brass was used to contain rolled prayers and blessed or holy objects believed to protect the wearer from evil. Such boxes were worn by men suspended on a strap or sash across the shoulder or around the waist when travelling.
Collection
Accession number
IM.80-1929

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Record createdFebruary 3, 2006
Record URL
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