Buddhist monk Budai

Buddhist monk Budai

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Budai, a tenth-century monk, was known for his laughing face and round stomach. Named after the cloth sack (budai) that he carries under his arm, he is believed to be the incarnation of Maitreya, the future Buddha, who helps common people in the mortal world. The porcelain of the Dehua kilns in Fujian Province is characterized by its thick, lustrous, clear glaze and white paste. It is generally referred to in Western writings as blanc de chine or “China white.”

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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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.