Vase

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

When needed, the Longquan kilns, known primarily for ceramics with olive or gray glazes, also produced high-quality wares for the court in Hangzhou, particularly in the twelfth century, when demand for such wares peaked. Both the blue color of this glaze and the slight cracking or crazing on the surface illustrate the ability of potters working at Longquan to make works that conformed to court taste.

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