NYC exhibit explores richness of Yuan dynasty art with treasures from China, other countries

NYC exhibit unveils rich treasures of Yuan dynasty

NEW YORK — A new exhibition in New York City makes it easy to see why Marco Polo and other early European traders were dazzled by the treasures they saw in China.

Porcelain, lacquer, scroll painting, silk tapestries and other art forms flourished during the Yuan (yoo-AHN’) dynasty. It was founded in 1271 by Khubilai Khan, China’s first Mongol ruler and grandson of Ghenghis Khan.

“The World of Khubilai Khan: Chinese Art in the Yuan Dynasty” opens Tuesday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There are 200 artifacts, most on loan from China. Included are archaeological objects never before exhibited outside the country.

Among the highlights is a “cloth of gold.” That’s the name European traders gave the gold-thread silk woven by craftsmen brought to China from Central Asia and eastern Iran.

Online:

www.metmuseum.org