Piece
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Silk and metal thread
Dimensions
L. 19 1/2 x W. 13 1/2 inches (49.5 x 34.3 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture
European
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
36.90.1187
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 19th-century woven textile, simply titled *Piece*, hails from Europe and showcases the era's mastery of luxurious fabrics. Measuring 19½ by 13½ inches, it features delicate motifs of flowers and leaves, in shimmering silk and metal threads. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Department of European Sculpture and Decor Arts, it was generously gifted by The United Piece Dye Works in1936, highlighting the industrial heritage of textile production. Crafted through intricate weaving techniques, the use of silk provided a soft, lustrous base, while metal threads—likely gold or si...