COUVERCLE DE GAU EN ALLIAGE DE CUIVRE DORÉ REPRÉSENTANT VAJRAKILLA TIBET, XVIIIE SIÈCLECOUVERCLE DE GAU EN ALLIAGE DE CUIVRE DORÉ REPRÉSENTANT VAJRAKILLATIBET, XVIIIE SIÈCLEHimalayan Art Resources item no. 205265 25 cm (9 7/8 in.) highA GILT COPPER ALLOY GAU COVER OF VAJRAKILATIBET, 18TH CENTURY西藏 十八世紀 銅鎏金普巴金剛嘎烏盒蓋Etched onto a gilded box cover 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. Compare to an earlier gau depicting the same deity (HAR 1783) and Bonhams, Hong Kong, 30 November, lot 1050.Please also refer to the footnote of lot 446 in this auction.