Introduction to the Department of Asian Art: The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of Asian art is the largest and most comprehensive in Western countries. Its Asian Art Gallery contains more than 60,000 objects dating from 2000 BC to the early 20th century, including items from East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Himalayas. The most noteworthy among them are calligraphy and paintings. In addition, Japanese screens and prints, stone and metal sculptures from South and Southeast Asia, and early paintings from other regions such as Nepal and Tibet are all outstanding features of the collection.