Piece
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Silk
Dimensions
2 1/4 x 5 1/2 in. (5.71 x 13.97 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture
Japan
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1896
Accession Number
96.14.939
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silk fragment, titled simply *Piece*, hails from Japan during the 18th–19th, a time when the country’s textile arts flourished under the Edo period’s refined craftsmanship and into the early Meiji era Measuring just 2¼ x 5½ inches (5.71 x 13.97 cm), this woven textile exemplifies the precision of Japanese silk weaving, likely produced in renowned centers like Kyoto or Nishijin. Silk, prized for its luster and durability, was a cornerstone of Japanese culture, adorning kimonos, obi sashes, and ceremonial garments that reflected social status and seasonal motifs. Woven textiles l...