Piece
Unknown Artist
16th–17th century
Medium
Silk
Dimensions
L. 11 1/2 x W. 8 inches (29.2 x 20.3 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture
Italian
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of The United Piece Dye Works, 1936
Accession Number
36.90.397
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silk textile fragment, simply titled *Piece*, hails from 16th–17th century Italy, a golden era when Italian artisans mastered luxurious fabrics that adorned Europe's elite. Measuring just 11½ x 8 inches, this woven silk example reflects the opulence of Renaissance and early Baroque decorative arts, likely originating from workshops in cities like Florence or Venice, renowned for their silk trade routes from the East. Woven textiles like this were prized for their intricate techniques, blending durability with shimmering elegance. Silk's luster and fine weave allowed for complex...