A large square antique amulet gau box, made in the late 19^th century in either Ladakh or Tibet. It would have been worn by Buddhist people and would have contained personal devotions and prayers written on parchment. It is now sealed.

The amulet box is made of high silver with applied scroll motifs and further decoration. At the centre is a raised coral cabochon surrounded by small individually bezel-set turquoise beads.

This is a beautiful item with a lovely aged patina and wear commensurate with age. Highly collectible.

Reference:

cf. Stokmans, M.E. (2008) Ethnic jewellery from Africa, Asia and Pacific Islands: The René Van der Star Collection ; published on the occasion of the exhibition of the ethnic jewellery collection of René van der Star in the Rotterdam Kunsthal, the Netherlands. Amsterdam: Pepin. P174