Incense burner

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This small but elegant incense burner embodies both the antiquarian taste and minimalist design sensibility of the Song dynasty. The cylindrical form is based on larger-scale bronze wine containers widely used in the Han dynasty (206 BC to AD 220). The Song designer made this smaller version to accommodate its new function as an incense burner. This reinterpretation of an archaic form made this vessel better suited for personal use on a scholar’s table. The elaborate decoration often found on archaic bronzes was also discarded in favor of horizontal bands. This treatment not only adds visual simplicity, but also enhances handling pleasure. Furthermore, this design reflects a similar taste in contemporary ceramics.

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