Small vase with dragon

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The elegant shape, exquisite design, and impeccable carving exemplify the sophisticated taste and exacting requirements of the Qing imperial court. The large size and quality of the turquoise suggests that it may have come from the area of modern-day Iran—a testament to the increased trade between China and Central Asia at this time.

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