Piece

Art Historical Context

This delicate silk velvet fragment, hailing from Japan's Edo period (1615–8), offers a glimpse into the refined artistry of 19th-century textile production. Measuring just 4¾ x 6½ inches, this small "Piece" exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of Japanese velvets, a luxurious medium prized for its plush pile texture and vibrant sheen. During the Edo era—a time of relative peace and flourishing under the Tokugawa shog—textiles like this were essential to daily life, adorning kimonos, theatrical costumes, and ceremonial robes for the merchant class and nobility. Velvet weaving in Japan requi...