Buddha. Pyu period, ca. 8th–9th century. Copper alloy. H. 181/2 x W. 121/2 x D. 91/2 in. (47 x 31.8 x 24.2 cm). Sri Ksetra Archaeological Museum, Hmawza, 2013/2/2. Photo: Sean Dungan

Plaque with image of seated Buddha. Pagan period, 11th–13th century. Gilded metal with polychrome. H. 7 x W. 6 1/4 x D. 1/4 in. (17.8 x 15.9 x 0.6 cm). Bagan Archaeological Museum. Photo: Sean Dungan

Buddha seated in dharmacakra mudra. Pagan period, 11th century. Sandstone. H. 42 x W. 27 x D. 10 in. (106.7 x 68.6 x 25.4 cm). Bagan Archaeological Museum. Photo: Sean Dungan

Buddha Severing His Hair. Pagan period, ca. 11th–12th century. Sandstone with traces of pigment. H. 31 x W. 18 x D. 9 in. (78.7 x 45.7 x 22.9 cm). Bagan Archaeological Museum. Photo: Sean Dungan

Parinibbana. Kubyauknge Temple, Myinkaba village. Pagan period, ca. 1198. Sandstone with pigment. H. 351/2 x W. 51 x D. 13 in. (90.2 x 129.5 x 33 cm). Bagan Archaeological Museum. Photo: Sean Dungan

Mara’s Demons. Shwegugyi Temple, Pegu. Ca. 1479. Glazed earthenware. H. 18 1/2 x W. 13 x D. 4 in. (47 x 33 x 10.2 cm). National Museum, Nay Pyi Taw. Photo: Sean Dungan

Buddha seated in bhumisparsa mudra. From the Kyaung-U Temple, Pagan. Late Ava period, 18th century. Marble with traces of lacquer. H. 331/2 x W. 20 x D. 9 in. (85 x 50.8 x 22.9 cm). Bagan Archaeological Museum. Photo: Sean Dungan

Seated Buddha. Mandalay era, ca. 1860–1900. Copper alloy. H. 181/2 x W. 151/2 in. (47 x 39.4 cm). © Asian Art Museum: The Avery Brundage Collection, B60B230. Photo © Asian Art Museum, San Francisco

The Great Departure. 19th century. Bronze. H. 12 x W. 91/2 x D. 4 in. (30.5 x 24.1 x 10.2 cm). Private Collection. Photo: Alex Jamison

Earth Goddess (Vasudhara). 19th century.Wood, lacquer, and gold leaf. H. 30 x W. 93/4 x D. 14 in. (76.2 x 24.8 x 35.6 cm). Bagan Archaeological Museum. Photo: Sean Dungan

Kinnara. Konbaung Mandalay period (1857–85). Wood, lacquer, gold leaf, and glass inlay. H. 561/2 x W. 225/8 x D. 263/8 in. (143.5 x 57.5 x 67 cm). Burma Art Collection at Northern Illinois University: Gift of Konrad and Sarah Bekker, BC87.01.01. Photo: Northern Illinois University media services

Offering vessel (hsun-ok). Mandalay. Late 19th–early 20th century. Bamboo, wood, sheet metal, lacquer, gold leaf, and cut glass. H. 38 x Diam. 181/2 in. (96.5 x 47 cm). © Asian Art Museum: Gift of George McWilliams, 2008.92.a–.c. Photo © Asian Art Museum, San Francisco