Panel with dragon

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The powerful dragon on this panel illustrates the extraordinary weaving of the imperial workshops of the Qing dynasty. Woven in gold threads of two types, the dragon features a shining face and scales that contrast with its matte tongue, mane, and claw tips. In the complicated system of laws governing the use of imperial symbols during the Qing dynasty, four-clawed dragons (known as mang) were reserved for use by certain members of the imperial family.

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