| Exhibition Dates: |
October 21, 2017–July 22, 2018 |
| Exhibition Location: |
The Met Fifth Avenue
Florence and Herbert Irving Galleries for
Chinese Decorative Arts, Floor 3
Gallery 220 and 221
|
An exhibition of Chinese decorative art with a focus on animal images in silk and lacquer will open at The Met on October 21. Consisting of 20 textiles and 50 lacquers,
Spirited Creatures: Animal Representations in Chinese Silk and Lacquer will explore how real and mythical animals—such as the dragon, unicorn, phoenix, lion, ox, and butterfly—are depicted on luxury materials of late imperial China. Spanning several hundred years—from the 13th to the 19th century—the exhibition will present a wide range of objects: dragon robes, rank badges, and tapestry panels for interior decoration, as well as many different types of lacquer vessels made in imperial workshops. The objects are drawn exclusively from The Met collection, and some have not been on display for several decades.
The exhibition is made possible by the Joseph Hotung Fund.
Images of animals in Chinese art not only reflect a deep appreciation for nature, but they also serve as potent symbols for political, religious, and cultural values. Among the highlights on view will be two early 15th-century carved red lacquer pieces: The first,
Dish with Two Birds and Peonies, has image treatments that are typical of the period; the second,
Sutra Box with Dragons amid Clouds, depicts a sinewy dragon and is representative of elegant boxes that were produced for use at the court and as diplomatic gifts, particularly to Tibet. Also of note is a late 18th-/early 19th-century woman’s informal robe filled with butterfly embroideries that are associated with joy and weddings; the butterfly is also a symbol of longevity in China.
The exhibition is organized by Pengliang Lu, Henry A. Kissinger Curatorial Fellow in the Department of Asian Art at The Met.
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May 31, 2017
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