Box with dragon design

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The five-clawed dragon in the center of this lid holds up the character sheng, which means “divine (or imperial) majesty.” The rocks and waves below the dragon symbolize the mountain and the sea. Taken together, these motifs illustrate the imperial authority ruling over the universe. Similarly styled dragons are seen on works in different materials, such as textile medallions, from the same period.

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