Piece
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Silk
Dimensions
6 x 2 in. (15.24 x 5.08 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo (1615–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1896
Accession Number
96.14.724
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate silk textile fragment, titled simply *Piece*, hails from Japan during the 18th–19th, spanning the late Edo period (1615–1868) or early Meiji era (1868–1912). Measuring just 6 x 2 inches, it exemplifies the exquisite finesse of Japanese woven textiles, likely a remnant from a garment, obi sash, or decorative accessory. Its motif of leaves—evident in the design—reflects the Japanese reverence for nature, a recurring theme in art that symbolizes seasonal change, renewal, and harmony with the natural world. Crafted by an unknown artist, the piece showcases advanced weaving technique...