Brush Holder

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Various metals are inlaid in relief on the dark rough surface of cast iron, creating effects of light and color in the naturalistic decoration. Moonlight seems to glisten on the web of silver that fans over the cylindrical form. A spider, realistically shaped in shibuichi (an alloy of copper and silver), scurries toward the outer edge of the web, where a dragonfly of gold and copper is seen caught on the other side.

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