Paperweight in the form of a Qilin

Paperweight in the form of a Qilin

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Qilin is a mythical creature thought to appear when a sage ruler comes to the throne. This exquisitely cast bronze example served as an auspicious ornament or paperweight on a Chinese scholar’s desk. The creature looks back to its proper left and reclines with all four feet tucked under its body. Its head features a beard, a central horn, and a flame like flowing mane—characteristics shared by early Ming dynasty depictions of dragons. The animal’s dense scales and ribbon like flames emanating from its upper legs are also attributes of Ming images of mythical animals. The surface of the bronze bears traces of red pigment, probably cinnabar, which was believed to have the magic property of warding off evils.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Paperweight in the form of a QilinPaperweight in the form of a QilinPaperweight in the form of a QilinPaperweight in the form of a QilinPaperweight in the form of a Qilin

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.