"The imperial workshops of Yongle (r. 1403-24), third emperor of the Ming dynasty, produced superb paintings, sculptures, porcelains, and other luxury objects that became the foundation for subsequent developments in the arts for the remainder of the Ming dynasty. This volume traces the roots of the Yongle artistic styles to the previous dynasty, the Yuan (1271-1368), when China was ruled by the Mongols. It offers new insight into the emperor's attachment to Tibetan Buddhism, which is reflected in many of the objects illustrated in this volume."--BOOK JACKET.

The Yongle Emperor (r. 1403¿́¿24) is considered the most powerful, effective, and extravagant ruler of China's Ming Dynasty (1368¿́¿1644). Major military campaigns and unprecedented maritime expeditions marked his reign. Yongle is also credited with moving the capital from Nanjing in the south to Beijing, where he inherited the imperial workshops instituted by Mongol rulers of the preceding Yuan dynasty (1279¿́¿1368). The superb sculptures, lacquers, metalwork, ceramics, textiles, and ivories produced during Yongle's reign, which show various Islamic and Tibetan Buddhist influences, had a seminal role in the development of later Chinese decorative arts. -- Metropolitan Museum of Art website.