Piece
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Silk
Dimensions
5 1/4 x 6 1/4 in. (13.34 x 15.88 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
96.14.1722
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silk *Piece* from 18th–19th Japan offers a glimpse into the masterful textile traditions of the Edo and early Meiji periods. Measuring just 5¼ x 6¼ inches, this woven fragment exemplifies the and finesse of Japanese silk, a craft honed over centuries in regions like Kyoto and Nishijin. Silk, prized for its luster and durability, was a cornerstone of Japanese export and domestic luxury, adorning kimonos, obi sashes, and ceremonial garments that reflected social status and seasonal motifs. As a classified woven textile, it highlights techniques such as jacquard-like patterning or...