Vase

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Vases in this shape have long been known as “prunus vases” or meiping, a Chinese term that is also a homonym for beautiful vessel. Despite their name, it seems likely that such vessels were used as bottles for wine or other beverages, as well as to display plum blossoms and other flowers.

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