Hat Finial

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Hats were an important part of official dress at all levels of government, and the finial worn atop a hat was an indicator of the wearer's rank. The finials shown here (1973.132.1–.3)—red, blue, and white—correspond to three different ranks, from higher to lower.

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