Piece

Art Historical Context

This exquisite silk textile fragment, titled simply *Piece*, hails from Japan during the Edo period (1615–1868), a time of relative peace and cultural flourishing. Woven in the 18th or 19th century, it measures a compact 13¼ x 8 inches, suggesting it may be a remnant from a larger garment like a kimono or obi sash. The motifs of animals and men reflect everyday life or folklore, common in Japanese textiles that celebrated nature and human activity. Silk weaving reached artistic heights in Edo Japan, where artisans employed sophisticated looms to create intricate patterns with dyed threads. Th...