(Top): Water dropper in the shape of a rhinoceros (detail), Ming dynasty (1368–1644), 15th century. Copper alloy. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, The Vincent Astor Foundation Gift, 2015 (2015.294). (Bottom): Knotted dragon ring (detail), Eastern Zhou dynasty (770–256 BCE), 3rd century BCE. Jade (nephrite). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Ernest Erickson Foundation, 1985 (1985.214.99).
Explore two extraordinary new exhibitions at The Metropolitan Museum of Art that illuminate the beauty, craftsmanship, and cultural meaning of Chinese decorative arts. Featuring exceptional jades alongside masterworks in porcelain, lacquer, bamboo, silk, and metalwork the exhibitions offer fresh perspectives on a millennium of artistic achievement and collecting. Plan your visit today!
Decorative Arts in China, 1000 to the Present
July 25, 2026 – Ongoing
Uncover the overlooked essence of decorative arts in China. This exhibition highlights the superb aesthetic achievement and deep cultural significance of so-called “decorative arts.” Departing from the usual presentation style that focuses on the material or dates of objects, this cross-medium display explores evolving tastes across different social strata, reflects artistic virtuosity, and deepens our understanding of Chinese cultural traditions.
Decorative Arts in China, 1000 to the Present features over 100 works in a range of media—including porcelain, metalwork, lacquer, jade, bamboo, silk, and more, mainly from The Met collection. Objects span from ostentatious to restrained; some were royal commissions, others were made for domestic markets or for export. In almost all media, meticulous execution and creative design reveal an extraordinarily high level of artistic mastery. Not merely ornamental, objects feature forms and patterns that are endowed with rich cultural significance. Some convey religious or ritual meanings; others celebrate secular literary traditions. Through auspicious symbols, visual puns, or meaningful historical narratives, artists never ceased to explore creative forms of expression—even embedding their works with moral admonitions or subtle hints of humor. Through one thousand years, these marvelous works continue to challenge distinctions between the “decorative arts” and “fine arts” in China.
The exhibition is made possible by the Florence and Herbert Irving Fund for Asian Art.
To learn more, click here.
A Lasting Legacy: Chinese Jades from New York Collections
July 25, 2026 – Ongoing
Jade—primarily the mineral nephrite—has been revered in China for thousands of years both for its natural beauty and, especially, the human values associated with its physical properties. Its gentle color reflects benevolence, its soft luster suggests humility, and its extreme hardness and durability calls to mind integrity. Among American collectors, Heber R. Bishop was a pioneering and influential figure who became fascinated with Chinese jades in the late 19th century. His passion for jade inspired generations of collectors to assemble their own remarkable collections, of which many are represented in The Met’s holdings.
Featuring 50 objects from The Met collection displayed side by side with Bishop’s pieces, this exhibition explores the growing interest in jade throughout the 20th century and illustrates America’s evolving knowledge and understanding of Chinese gemstone art, its history, and its cultural significance. Among the highlights are ancient tools and ceremonial weapons, antique works crafted after historical ritual vessels and implements, decorative objects inspired by jades from Mughal India, and carvings of novel and innovative designs created in the 18th to 20th centuries.
The exhibition is made possible by the Florence and Herbert Irving Fund for Asian Art Exhibitions.
To learn more, click here.