Bowl in the shape of a lotus leaf

Bowl in the shape of a lotus leaf

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This bowl is shaped like a lotus and embellished with carved decoration that provides a continuous scene of lotus blossoms, pods, and leaves. The image of lotuses with stems entwined together is a rebus for firm roots and luxuriant branches (bengu zhirong)—an allusion to good wishes for a flourishing business

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Bowl in the shape of a lotus leafBowl in the shape of a lotus leafBowl in the shape of a lotus leafBowl in the shape of a lotus leafBowl in the shape of a lotus leaf

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.