Plaque with dragon, pheasant, quail, and other birds amidst bamboo and plum blossom

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This large two-sided plaque showcases the skill of ivory carvers in the eighteenth century. Four powerful dragons crawl along the edges, and a host of plants, flowers, and birds (including pheasants and quails) are beautifully carved on one side. The depth of the carving—the flowers and birds are nearly three-dimensional—is typical of the eighteenth century, as is the use of ink to enhance select elements. A scene showing figures performing everyday activities in a landscape is incised into the other side of the plaque, which also has a six-character mark that indicates that the plaque was inspired by works produced during the reign of the Qianlong emperor.

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