Archaic-style vase with poem composed by the Qianlong Emperor

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This massive jade vase is handsomely incised with a poem composed by the Qianlong Emperor in 1773. The poem clearly indicates that the work was based on a Song-dynasty (960–1279) ceramic vase with an unadorned surface. More fascinating is that the jade vase features subtle crackling like that observed on high-quality Song celadon-glazed ware.

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