A Passion for Jade

Heber R. Bishop's collection of carved jades was formed in the last quarter of the nineteenth century and bequeathed to the Metropolitan Museum in 1902. Consisting of over one thousand pieces—primarily Chinese jades of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, as well as jades from Mughal India—it was the first major collection of its kind in the country.

This exhibition presents a selection of the most refined works from the Bishop collection of jade, the most esteemed stone in China. The works on view represent the sophisticated art of Chinese lapidaries during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), as well as the highly accomplished works of Mogul Indian (1526–1857) craftsmen whose skill inspired their Chinese counterparts. Also on display are a set of Chinese lapidary tools and illustrations of jade workshops, which introduce viewers to the traditional method of working jade.

Credit: Exhibition Overview from the Met Museum website