Old Testament figures

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The clothing and other attributes of these figures suggest that they are Old Testament personages, which are rarely depicted in Chinese art. The inscriptions alluding to the Ten Commandments on the tablets held by one of the figures (second to the right) imply that he is Moses; the crown and harp of another may identify him as David; and the remaining two are most likely prophets. Flat crossbars with holes on the bases of the figures indicate that they may once have been part of a larger ensemble that was secured onto a platform

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