Incense burner in the shape of a rooster

Incense burner in the shape of a rooster

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

A symbol of diligence and fortune, the rooster is a particularly popular Chinese decorative motif. This incense burner has an ingenious design: the hollow body houses the burning incense and the detachable wings serve as the lid, with several small openings on the wings allowing the fragrant smoke to escape.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Incense burner in the shape of a roosterIncense burner in the shape of a roosterIncense burner in the shape of a roosterIncense burner in the shape of a roosterIncense burner in the shape of a rooster

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.