Skirt from Theatrical Ensemble for a Female Role

Skirt from Theatrical Ensemble for a Female Role

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

A close look at this colorful design of phoenixes amid scrolling vegetation reveals transformations in the pattern: some of the flowering areas have heads. This transformational potential is present in the patterns of many Chinese costumes. In addition, the embroidered design of this skirt is identical to that of a theatrical jacket in the Qing court collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Skirt from Theatrical Ensemble for a Female RoleSkirt from Theatrical Ensemble for a Female RoleSkirt from Theatrical Ensemble for a Female RoleSkirt from Theatrical Ensemble for a Female RoleSkirt from Theatrical Ensemble for a Female Role

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.