Box with pommel scroll

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Red and black are two main colors of Chinese lacquer wares. Although the overall surface of this object appears to feature only red, its elegant pattern was carved out of layers of red and black lacquer to enhance the decorative effect.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art