Reliquary

Art Historical Context

This elegant reliquary, crafted in cloisonné enamel and bronze China's Qing dynasty Qianlong period (1736–95), stands as a testament to the era's imperial artistry. Measuring 19 inches (48.3 cm) in height, it hails from the opulent workshops patronized by the Qianlong, a fervent collector and innovator in decorative arts. Now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art—thanks to the 1932 bequest of G. Kennedy—this piece exemplifies cloisonné, a technique where thin metal wires (cloisons) are soldered onto a bronze base to form intricate cells. These compartments are filled with vibran...