Jewellery Object: Man’s amulet box Place of...

Jewellery

• Object:
  
  
  

  Man’s amulet box

  
  
  
  


• Place of origin:
  
  
  

  Tibet (made)

  
  
  
  


• Date:
  
  
  

  19th century (made)

  
  

  A man’s amulet box or ga’u, used to contain rolled prayer and blessed or holy objects believed to protect the wearer from evil. The front of the box is embossed with a mountains and sea motif; the monster mask; and the ‘Seven Jewels of Royal Power’,an ancient set of auspicious Indian emblems. Such boxes were worn suspended on a strap or sash across the shoulder or around the waist when travelling.

  
  

  The Victoria and Albert Museum