Tibetan Reliquary or Amulet Box
May
Tibetan Reliquary or Amulet Box
7cm x 7cm
Donated by Mrs E M Peacock
This beautiful little reliquary, or amulet box, is made of gold and turquoise, with red silk scarf for tying round the neck. It comes from Ladakh, which borders Tibet to the east and is inhabited by people of Tibetan descent. It has been strongly influenced by Tibetan culture.
Making and wearing amulets is a very ancient Tibetan tradition. The amulets are believed to heal, protect and harmonize energies. The box probably held a sacred scroll, but both the gold and the turquoise are themselves considered protective, as well as an indication of wealth.
Tibet is one of the largest gold producing countries in the world. Gold is found in streams and river beds and as seams in quartz rocks.
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