Piece
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Silk
Dimensions
7 3/4 x 5 1/4 in. (19.68 x 13.34 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1896
Accession Number
96.14.612
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite woven silk textile, simply titled *Piece*, hails from Japan's Edo period (1615–1868), a time of relative peace and cultural flourishing under the Tokugawa shogunate. Crafted in the 18th–19th century, this small fragment measures just 7 3/4 x 5 1/4 inches, likely part of a larger garment, accessory, or decorative item. Its delicate silk medium showcases the mastery of Japanese weavers, who transformed raw threads into intricate patterns through sophisticated loom techniques, prized for their luster, durability, and ability to capture vibrant motifs. At the heart of this artwork ...