Plate
China
Yuan dynasty, mid-14th century
Porcelain with underglaze blue decoration; Diam. 18 in. (45.7
cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Purchase, Mrs. Richard E.
Linburn Gift, 1987 (1987.10)
Marco Polo’s father Niccolo and uncle Maffeo had traveled
to China and met Khubilai Khan on their first voyage, made
while Marco was still a boy. The ruler asked them to return
to the west to obtain for him oil from the Holy Sepulcher
in Jerusalem and one hundred Christian teachers. As soon as
Khubilai Khan heard of the Polos return, he sent word for
them to hurry to his court and welcomed them enthusiastically.
At the time of Marco’s first audience, Khubilai Khan
was already sixty years old, but was still a robust and commanding
figure.
