Polishing wheel for carving jade

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

These wheels are made of soft materials and are used for polishing works of jade. They are first smeared with a paste made of fine abrasives and water, and then mounted on a spinning shaft driven by foot treadles. This setup frees both of the craftsman’s hands to manipulate the jade.

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