The Astor Court

Choose a view that brings a wooden frame, stone and an opening into the same glance. Move your attention from a shaped opening to the space it reveals, then back to the frame around it. This court was made for The Met by craftspeople from China and opened in 1981. It was assembled from handcrafted wood, stone and ceramic elements. It was built here for the museum, rather than moved from a historic house. The court and the adjacent Ming Hall created a setting for Chinese hardwood furniture. You are in Gallery 217 on Floor 2. The Asian spaces tour begins here, then visits three sculptures in their own rooms.