Octagonal box with scene of immortals

Octagonal box with scene of immortals

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Boxes of this type were often fitted with an interior tray with recesses for holding cups; the tray rested on a ledge at the top of the box but under the cover. The gathering of Daoist immortals pictured on the lid was appropriate for a box used to serve wine at birthday banquets.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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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.