Head of Buddha, 10th century, Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392). Gilt bronze, 8.6 cm. Gift of Robert H. Ellsworth in honor of Sherman E. Lee 1985.190 © The Cleveland Museum of Art 

A gentle smile crossing the Buddha's face here is a sign of compassion.

While large Buddhist statues were made mostly in stone during the Goryeo period (918–1392), small ones were made in gilt bronze, as a portable object of devotion by traveling Buddhist monks.