Folding chair with two birds among flowers

Folding chair with two birds among flowers

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

A very rare example from the early Ming dynasty, this chair illustrates the sophisticated craftsmanship of the lacquer and furniture from the period. The folding legs are well balanced with the armrests and curved back, which together create a stable and beautiful structure. Except for the rattan seat, all surfaces of the chair are made of lacquer. In addition to the meticulously carved geometric background, the chair also features a pair of paradise flycatchers among flowers on the back panel. Known as an “awarding ribbon” (shoudai) in Chinese, this type of long-tailed bird is a symbol of fortune and longevity.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Folding chair with two birds among flowersFolding chair with two birds among flowersFolding chair with two birds among flowersFolding chair with two birds among flowersFolding chair with two birds among flowers

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.