Eyeglass Case
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Silk, metallic thread
Dimensions
5 3/4 x 2 3/4 in. (14.61 x 6.99 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Embroidered
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of William Christian Paul, 1929
Accession Number
30.75.696
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection, this delicate *Eyeglass Case* China's Qing dynasty (164–1911) exemplifies the's masterful embroidery traditions. Crafted in the 18th–19th century by an unknown artist, the small pouch—measuring just 5 3/4 x 3/4 inches—served a practical purpose: protecting spectacles, which were increasingly common among the literate elite during this prosperous period of imperial refinement. Woven from luxurious silk and shimmering metallic threads, the case showcases the intricate needlework techniques perfected by Qing artisans. Embroidery ...