Magnificent bejewelled silver prayer box / portable small ghau - parcel gilt silver, turquoise, coral, lapis lazuli, rubies, ivory, pearls, lushly adorned hinged case of ruyi-shaped outline which can be opened on both sides, a large full round open-worked vajra to the hinged part, outside and inside with exquisite filigree silver ornaments and lavish inlays, one side of the cover with horned Chhepu head (possibly also Garuda) devouring two snakes, on filigree silver ground to ward off the forces of evil, inside the blue crowned Vajradhara with his consort in Yab-Yum on a lotus pedestal, holding bell (wisdom) and vajra (compassion) in his two hands, his red Shakti presenting a skull bowl in her left hand, the opposite side of the cover scattered with small pearls (all set individually) in its centre a four-armed Avalokiteshvara with lotus flower, 'cintamani' jewel and other attributes, flanked by two-armed amrita-vessels carrying companions, underneath the full-size bird-like creature Garuda adorned with the five-pointed bodhisattva crown and a serpent garland around his neck, holding the vase of longevity, inside bodhisattva Samantabhadra and his white partner Samantabhadri sitting on a lotus pedestal in Yab-Yum, clasp set with a large ruby ??cabochon, silver wire applications to the cover insides: the sacred syllables OM HUM framing the symbol of the Mighty Ten Stacked Syllables of Kalachakra mantra, Tibet / Nepal 18th century, ca.8x8,5x6cm (c.3,1x3,3x2,3in.), weight approx. 265g, very slight signs of age, some time-conditioned slight cracks and nicks to the inlays, collectible rare museum object