Exhibition

Embracing Color: Enamel in Chinese Decorative Arts, 1300–1900

Jusqu'au 4 janvier 2026
Free with Museum admission

Enamel decoration is a significant element of Chinese decorative arts that has long been overlooked. This exhibition reveals the aesthetic, technical, and cultural achievement of Chinese enamel wares by demonstrating the transformative role of enamel during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. The first transformational moment occurred in the late 14th to 15th century, when the introduction of cloisonné enamel from the West, along with the development of porcelain with overglaze enamels, led to a shift away from a monochromatic palette to colorful works. The second transformation occurred in the late 17th to 18th century, when European enameling materials and techniques were brought to the Qing court and more subtle and varied color tones were developed on enamels applied over porcelain, metal, glass, and other mediums. In both moments, Chinese artists did not simply adopt or copy foreign techniques; they actively created new colors and styles that reflected their own taste. The more than 100 objects on view are drawn mainly from The Met collection.

Rotation 1: July 4, 2022-April 30, 2023
Rotation 2: May 20, 2023–March 24, 2024
Rotation 3: April 13, 2024–February 16, 2025
Rotation 4: March 1, 2025–January 4, 2026

This exhibition is made possible by the Florence and Herbert Irving Fund for Asian Art Exhibitions.

This exhibition is part of Festival of New York, a citywide celebration featuring 200+ diverse organizations with events and exhibitions from Memorial Day to Labor Day 2022.

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Covered box with hibiscus and grapevines, Cloisonné enamel, China
China
mid-15th century
Bottle with lotuses

, Porcelain with raised slip and enamels (Jingdezhen fahua ware), China
China
late 15th century
Basin with lotus pond, Porcelain with raised slip and enamels (Jingdezhen fahua ware), China
China
late 15th century
Marquee: Covered box with hibiscuses and grape vines (detail). China, Ming dynasty (1368–1644), mid-15th century. Cloisonné enamel. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Promised Gift of Clara and Theodore Wang

Plan Your Visit

Dates
Jusqu'au 4 janvier 2026
Free with Museum admission