Vase with dragon

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Flowers and birds are commonly found on famille noire ware, but this vase features two powerful dragons chasing fire pearls among clouds in a design showcasing a strong color contrast of green and black enamel. The whimsical expressions of these dragons reveal the potter’s sense of humor, which is unusual in Chinese ceramics.

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