
Dora Tan
Head of Sale, Specialist
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Sold for HK$38,250 inc. premium
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Head of Sale, Specialist

International Director

International Specialist

Cataloguer
西藏或蒙古 十八世紀 銅鎏金普巴金剛佛龕
Etched onto a gilded box is the three-faced, six-armed form of Vajrakila, who embraces his consort while holding a three-sided dagger (phurba) to ward off demonic obstructions. Surrounded by a mandorla of licking flames, Vajrakila's wrathful appearance is meant to subdue all negative forces and obstacles.
Gau boxes primarily served as protective amulets, the interior housing a deity or guardian spirit, as seen here in the clay image which depicts a warrior deity on riding a goat. Compare to an earlier gau depicting the same deity (HAR 1783).
Provenance:
Private California Collection, acquired in the 1980s