Seated court lady, Tang dynasty, 8th century. Earthenware with tri-color (sancai) glaze. H. 37.5 cm; W. 14.3 cm; D. 15.4 cm. Purchase, The Vincent Astor Foundation Gift, 2010. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (2010.120).

This charming figure brings to life a leisure moment at the Tang imperial court. A plump young woman sits in a relaxed pose, a playful lapdog at her feet. Bright, clear-toned glazes, a recent innovation in ceramic technology at the time, enhance her jacket, sash, and skirts with striking colors. The hourglass-shaped stool, originally made of rattan in South Asia, points to the overseas trade and exchange during this prosperous and cosmopolitan age.