Bowl with auspicious emblems (one of a pair)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

On the exterior of the bowl, floral scrolls surround four Chinese characters that read “fortune and longevity as you wish” (fu shou ru yi). The interior features a stylized character of longevity encircled by the Eight Buddhist Treasures, symbols that were introduced with Buddhism and are often found in the later decorative arts. Following Chinese tradition, these auspicious signs reveal the bowl was made as a birthday gift. The mark on its base states that it was commissioned by the Hall of Colorful Flowers, likely a study of a scholar official or an upscale family.

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