Tibetan Circular Gao Box in Cloth Bag

Round ornamented case with a small window at the center, hung from a worn cloth strap.

This circular copper gau box in a silk cloth bag is from Tibet, and dates to the 19th century. A gau, or ga'u, is a small Tibetan box worn on the body and is generally understood to hold blessed items, written prayers or small images for protection. Disc-shaped box with a raised border densely decorated with small relief figures and symbols. A round window in the middle shows a faded interior. A long, soft, olive woven strap loops below, and a small dark pad sits behind. It is 1.25 inches high and 3.75 in diameter.

It rides along on a ribbon like a very serious medal.