Vase with Immortals Offering the Peaches of Longevity

Vase with Immortals Offering the Peaches of Longevity

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

A group of men and their attendants burn incense in an open pavilion. Their activities have attracted the attention of the supernatural: a peacock-like phoenix of enormous size has landed, while in the clouds, Xiwangmu (the queen mother of the west) and her entourage have arrived. An attendant proffers a bowl containing peaches of immortality picked from Xiwangmu's orchard. Immortal beings, including Shoulao (the god of longevity), are depicted on the neck of the vase. Works such as this, with scenes of immortals and themes of immortality, were especially appropriate for display at birthday receptions.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Vase with Immortals Offering the Peaches of LongevityVase with Immortals Offering the Peaches of LongevityVase with Immortals Offering the Peaches of LongevityVase with Immortals Offering the Peaches of LongevityVase with Immortals Offering the Peaches of Longevity

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.