**Originally Listed At $300**

Central Asia, Tibet, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A cast-brass prayer box known as a gau (also ghau) that likely contains hand-written parchment prayer scrolls. The squat box has a flat base and a body that is covered in polychrome textile wraps to ensure that the frontal panel is not opened. The obverse brass face features a series of dragons that create the framework that surrounds a petite glass panel, and behind the glass panel is a seated effigy of Vishnu. Accompanying the gau are 2 mold-formed pottery religious votives featuring either 1 or 3 seated deities. Size of largest (gau): 3.45" W x 4.55" H (8.8 cm x 11.6 cm)

Provenance: Whisnant Gallery, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA acquired prior to 2000

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#169667

Small chips to peripheries of both pottery votives as shown. Light staining and fraying to textile panels around prayer box, with clouding to frontal glass panel, and softening to some finer details, otherwise intact and very good. Great patina throughout. Prayer box has not been opened as attempting to do so would perhaps damage the surrounding textile panels.