Piece

Art Historical Context

This exquisite silk textile fragment, simply titled *Piece*, hails from Japan during the 18th–19th, a golden era for textile artistry in the Edo and early Meiji periods. Measuring just 3¼ x 6¾ inches, this small woven treasure exemplifies the masterful craftsmanship of Japanese weavers, who transformed fine silk threads into intricate patterns using sophisticated looms. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art 1896 by Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, reflects early Western fascination with Asian arts. Woven silk held profound cultural significance in Japan, often adorning kimonos, obi sashes, o...