Buddha Triumphing over Mara (Maravijaya)

This 16th-century gilt bronze shows the Maravijaya (Victory over Mara) scene in miniature: the Buddha touching the earth at the moment of enlightenment. At under 4 inches tall, this was a personal devotional object for meditation, a travel shrine for merchants or pilgrims, or an offering at a temple. The gilt surface (gold over bronze) combines bronze's durability with gold's sacred luminosity.

The Maravijaya is the most frequently depicted scene in Buddhist art across all traditions because it represents Buddhism's central moment: the achievement of enlightenment and triumph over the forces of delusion, desire, and fear. The small size and precious material made it ideal for private practice. It's at the Art Institute of Chicago.