Ornament with Squirrels and Grapes

Ornament with Squirrels and Grapes

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Also a common theme in painting, squirrels and grapes—both known for their ability to multiply—allude to wishes for generations of children, particularly boys. Amber, which was known in China as early as the third century, was imported from both the Baltic region and Burma.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ornament with Squirrels and GrapesOrnament with Squirrels and GrapesOrnament with Squirrels and GrapesOrnament with Squirrels and GrapesOrnament with Squirrels and Grapes

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.