Woman's Informal Coat with Large Rosettes

Woman's Informal Coat with Large Rosettes

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Roundels and rosettes have a long history in China, dating back to the seventh century. The embroidered rosettes on this robe are particularly notable for their fine detail. They are on a nearly hidden light-blue background and were set in, not applied to the surface of the garment, which features a subtly contrasting light-golden-yellow background embroidered with flowering branches. Exquisite robes such as this one were often refurbished for succeeding generations. The borders of this coat, for example, are from a later period.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Woman's Informal Coat with Large RosettesWoman's Informal Coat with Large RosettesWoman's Informal Coat with Large RosettesWoman's Informal Coat with Large RosettesWoman's Informal Coat with Large Rosettes

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.