Censer in the form of a mythical beast

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This robust incense burner demonstrates high-end porcelain sculpture and epitomizes the antiquarian interest of the late Ming dynasty (1368-1644) for creatively reviving the form and styles of ancient Chinese bronzes. Based on a Han dynasty (206 BC to AD 220) prototype, this Ming dynasty example was identified as a luduan, an auspicious unicorn able to master foreign languages that would only appear when a virtuous ruler came to the throne. This representation of the creature is not simply a copy of an ancient prototype; rather its playfully animated form and décor mark it as a brilliant antiquarian creation. This design also played as a model for contemporary and later artworks in other mediums, such as bronze and cloisonné.

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