Flower vase

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This sweet vase features a typical ceramic form decorated with archaic-style bronze motifs. Its form is in a manner that resembles top-quality celadon vessels from the Southern Song dynasty. The broad band of stylized dragon interlace encircling the vessel’s belly is derived from 5th–4th century. B.C. bronze models, but its treatment is much bolder. Such décor also can be found on an excavated piece, which helps to securely date this vessel to the 12th or 13th century. The successful combination of ceramic form and bronze décor demonstrates the creative fusion of contemporary form and function with an antique medium and decoration.

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