The two pendants are in the form of talismanic portable shrines, called gau. One has a kirtimukha, or “face of glory”, on the lid with flaming blue hair. It opens to reveal the Buddhist goddess Tara, and the Om mantra on the inside of the lid. The other has a figure of the Indian guru Padmasambhava seated on a lotus throne. Inside is the figure of Buddha Amitayus. They are crafted using the most precious materials available and with the highest level of workmanship. Luxurious artefacts such as these show the importance of the religions, and the extent to which these objects were valued and treasured by the owners.
