This is a Tibetan copper & white metal or silver prayer box or portable shrine (Gao) with a small blue standing figure inside.

It dates circa 1890-1930, or possibly earlier.

It also has stitched covers from the early to middle 20th Century.

The front cover is covered with wonderfully hand tooled images, including a Tibetan mythical beast or lion surrounded by Buddhist calligraphy, topped by a flame. The rest of the box is copper, under the protective, stitched cover.

It measures 5 inches tall by 4 1/4 inches wide by 1 1/2 inches in depth.

It is part of a small collection of antique Asian silver artifacts that were originally acquired together. Some of these items will also be offered for sale, now or at a later date.