Woman's robe with peonies and shou medallions

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The peonies scattered over the purple background of this robe indicate that it was to be worn in the spring. Auspicious shou characters woven in gold denote longevity and incorporate the swastika, or wan, which signifies ten thousand years. The robe features sleeve bands, original to the garment, that bear the same pattern on a contrasting white background. Painted details on tapestry are typical of the time period.

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