Sleeveless Jacket

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The roundels on this sleeveless velvet jacket incorporate the crane, an auspicious symbol of longevity, and have an outer border of interlocking circles, representing an endless string of coins. This garment was appropriately worn for birthday celebrations. The presence of a stand-up collar suggests a late Qing date for the piece.

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