Woman’s coat with crane medallions

Woman’s coat with crane medallions

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This type of coat was worn with an inner robe for important family occasions and ceremonies, such as significant birthdays. This example features eight medallions, each consisting of a stylized crane surrounded by patterns of bottle-gourd vines. As cranes and bottle gourds symbolize longevity, this design expresses auspicious wishes appropriate to the occasions on which the robe would have been worn.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Woman’s coat with crane medallionsWoman’s coat with crane medallionsWoman’s coat with crane medallionsWoman’s coat with crane medallionsWoman’s coat with crane medallions

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.