Seated court lady

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This charming figure brings to life a leisure moment at the Tang imperial court. A plump young woman sits in a relaxed pose, a playful lapdog at her feet. Bright, clear-toned glazes, a recent innovation in ceramic technology at the time, enhance her jacket, sash, and skirts with striking colors. The hourglass-shaped stool, originally made of rattan in South Asia, points to the overseas trade and exchange during this prosperous and cosmopolitan age.

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