The State Hermitage Museum: Exhibitions

Buddha Maravijaya - the"Buddha who vanquished Mara" - a name given in Siam to the episode in which Gautama called upon the Earth goddess to bear witness and gained victory over Mara, the lord of evil forces.
Pass to Glossary

The art of Siam. 14th-19th centuries

Buddha Maravijaya

Bangkok

Not earlier than 1824

Bronze, black and red lacquer, gilding

Height: 15 cm

The iconographic type of the Buddha Maravijaya remains as ever a favourite, but now the clothing is given elaborate decorative treatment. The symbolism of the simple monastic garb receded under pressure from ever-increasing decorativeness. Beneath the all-over gilding the component elements of the monk's dress can no longer be made out. All the tiers of the pedestal are often embellished with coloured glass insets around the perimeter.