Panel with Rabbits amid Clouds

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The rabbits running among clouds are intended to symbolize the moon, which is inhabited by rabbits in Chinese tradition. Richly brocaded with gold thread, this textile is both luxurious and auspicious. A similar length of gauze was found at Dangling, the mausoleum of the emperor Wanli (r. 1573–1620) in suburban Beijing, and it seems likely that this piece dates from the same period.

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