Piece
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Silk
Dimensions
3 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. (8.89 x 5.71 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
96.14.1220
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silk textile fragment, titled simply *Piece*, hails from Japan during the 18th–19th centuries, a golden era for the country's renowned weaving traditions. Measuring just 3½ x 2¼ inches (8.89 x 5.71 cm), its diminutive size belies the masterful craftsmanship of Edo-period (1603–1868) and Meiji-era artisans.oven from fine silk, it exemplifies the precision and beauty of Japanese textile production, where silk—prized for its luster and durability—was central to clothing, ceremonies, and daily life. In Japanese culture, woven silks like this were often used for kimonos, obi sashes,...