The Tibetan Gau (or Ghau) is a prayer box or amulet container traditionally used by Tibetan Buddhists as a reliquary to hold and carry sacred objects such as an image of the owner's personal deity wrapped in silk cloth, along with other holy objects or blessed items. Gaus were traditionally kept in custom-made silk pouches and carried close to the heart by the nomadic Tibetans during their travels as a source of protection and blessings.

This traditionally-shaped Tibetan gau is handcrafted from copper by master Himalayan craftsmen, and plated in silver and gold. Richly carved with the Eight Auspicious Signs, this gau has a small window that allows the items contained within to be viewed.

This compact fitted-back gau can be filled with small statues, tsa tsas, deity images, holy items or blessed objects, and used as a portable shrine, protective talisman or placed on your altar.

Directions for Use

• Hold the front and back edges of the gau firmly and slide the two halves apart.


• Fill the gau with the items of your choice. Traditionally, the gau is lined with yellow silk to protect the items within and to secure them in place. Foam or other materials can also be inserted to ensure the items inside the gau do not move about.


• Optional: Fit a piece of glass at the underside of the window to protect the items within.


• Close the gau by sliding the friction-fit halves back into place.


• Ensure the gau remains shut by looping string or cord through the metal loops on both sides of the gau and securing them at the back.

Product Details

• Material: Copper, gold and silver plated
• Height: 89 mm (3.5-in)
• Width: 89 mm (3.5-in)
• Depth: 50 mm (2-in)
• Weight: 0.13 kg (0.3 lb)

* Each item is handcrafted and may vary slightly from the image shown.