Tibetan Ghau Appraisal

Tibetan Repoussé Silver Ghau (Amulet Box) featuring Six-Armed Mahakala

This is a portable Tibetan Ghau, or devotional shrine, traditionally worn as an amulet pendant. The object is constructed from a silver-toned metal, likely high-grade silver or a silver alloy, featuring intricate repoussé and chased floral scrollwork (foliate motifs) typical of Himalayan craftsmanship. The architectural frame is topped with a trefoil-arched crest and bordered by fine beaded edging. At the center is a small window (khirki) containing a dark, possibly clay-based (tsa-tsa) or bronze miniature figure of the Six-Armed Mahakala (Shadbhuja Mahakala), a fierce protector deity in Tibetan Buddhism. The deity is depicted in a wrathful stance with multiple arms holding ritual implements. The craftsmanship shows deep relief in the metalwork with a visible dark patina in the recessed areas, which highlights the floral patterns. Condition-wise, the piece appears well-preserved with minor surface wear consistent with handling. There is a slight darkening of the metal suggesting natural oxidization over time. The item features lateral tubes (bail) for threading a cord, shown here with a black braided textile. Given the style and oxidation, it aligns with 19th-century or early 20th-century production, characterized by the dense, symmetrical floral ornamentation of the Sino-Tibetan tradition.