Toy

19th century

Not on view

This embroidered toy features a man riding a qilin, a fantastic animal commonly found in the decorative arts of the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing dynasties. Although its appearance can vary, the qilin seen here combines the features of a dragon (head, horns, and scales), a fantastical lion (tail), and a deer (body and hooves). Various auspicious items hang from the qilin, among them (from the left) scrolls, a sycee (silver ingot), books, and a handheld decorative accessory called a ruyi. The detachable rider holds a sheng, a type of mouth organ.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Toy
Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: 19th century
Culture: China
Medium: Silk and metallic thread embroidery on silk satin and float-patterned plain-weave silk
Dimensions: Overall (a): 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 in. (7 x 3.8 cm)
Overall (b): 10 x 4 in. (25.4 x 10.2 cm)
Classification: Textiles-Embroidered
Credit Line: Gift of Florance Waterbury, 1967
Object Number: 67.179.18a, b
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Covered Vase, Porcelain, Chinese — Covered Vase
Chinese
1785–1815

Robe (Kosode) with Floral Roundels, Figured satin-weave silk with tie-dyeing, silk embroidery, and couched gold thread, Japan — Robe (Kosode) with Floral Roundels
Japan
ca. 1670s

Dinner Plate, Porcelain, Chinese, for American market — Dinner Plate
Chinese, for American market
ca. 1796–1810

Casket with scenes from the Story of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, Satin worked with silk and metal thread, seed pearls; tent, satin, couching, Ceylon, detached needlepoint variations, knotted pile, knots, and crochet stitches; needle lace, metal bobbin lace; wood frame, silk lining, carved wooden feet, British — Casket with scenes from the Story of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba
British
1670s

Dish, Porcelain, Chinese, for American market — Dish
Chinese, for American market
ca. 1860–66

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.