Keman (Decorative Pendant Disk)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Pendant disks known as keman, thought to have originated as floral wreaths placed before Buddhist altars as votive offerings, are an integral part of the interior decor of the Buddhist temple. They are generally suspended from columns or from the outer edges of the canopy above the altar platform. This exceptionally well-crafted example features a pair of facing birds modeled in relief, their wings outstretched as if caught in midflight.

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