Piece

Art Historical Context

This exquisite silk tapestry, simply titled *Piece*, hails from Japan's Edo period (16151868), a time of relative peace and cultural flourishing under the Tokugawa shogunate. Crafted by an unknown artist in the 18th–19th century, this 10 x 10-inch square exemplifies the refined artistry of Japanese textiles. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1896 by Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, it entered one of the earliest major collections of Asian art in the West, highlighting growing Western fascination with Japanese craftsmanship during the late 19th century. Woven with luxurious silk and sh...