A Tibetan sacred stone relic, probably haematite, with natural markings, length 6.4cm, contained within a Tibetan damascened iron box and cover of square form, the top decorated with gilt crossed double vajra, the sides with the eight Buddhistic emblems and scrolling tendrils, width 9.9cm. Provenance: the Alain Presencer Collection. Note: the sacred stone was presented to the current vendor by the late abbot of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet, in 1987. The stone is believed to have been in the shrine room since the time of the Guru Rinpoche (8th-9th century). The lot is accompanied by a photograph of the abbot holding the stone prior to the presentation.