Description

A small silver buddhist Gau from Ladakh, a Himalayan area of N. India. This size of amulet would traditionally be part of a much larger and decorative headdress called a Perak, or sometimes also be sewn on to the front of a children’s hat. The motif in repoussé represents an offering of precious stones and the piece would maybe originally have had a removable back made of copper allowing a small storage space for a prayer, medicine or some other talisman. This one, however, has no back and had been worn for a long time without one, giving it a very desirable, smooth patina.

Hight: 52mm
Width: 35mm
Weight: 13.0g