Vase in Shape of Archaic Bronze Vessel with Flowers and Birds

Vase in Shape of Archaic Bronze Vessel with Flowers and Birds

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The shape of this vase ultimately derives from archaic vessels used to serve and store wines. The decoration of flowers and birds is ubiquitous in Chinese art; however, the palette used to decorate the piece evolved in the seventeenth century as a refinement of earlier traditions.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Vase in Shape of Archaic Bronze Vessel with Flowers and BirdsVase in Shape of Archaic Bronze Vessel with Flowers and BirdsVase in Shape of Archaic Bronze Vessel with Flowers and BirdsVase in Shape of Archaic Bronze Vessel with Flowers and BirdsVase in Shape of Archaic Bronze Vessel with Flowers and Birds

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.