Rank badge with two phoenixes

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The phoenixes appear in a symbolic landscape of clouds, waves, and a decorative rock surrounded by colorful flora: (clockwise from lower left) auspicious fungus, camellia, prunus, and (dominating the right) tree peonies. Unpatterned edges at the top and bottom of the textile (now hidden under the mat) suggest it was woven for a special purpose, probably as a decorative rank insignia for a female member of the imperial household.

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