Obi with Dragon and Phoenix

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

A dragon and a phoenix, fantastic creatures of Chinese origin, are shown here in a Japanese obi against a background crowded with peonies and chrysanthemums. The dragon is seen in its usual Qing dynasty Chinese milieu, which includes stylized motifs of a mountain, waves, and flaming jewel.

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