Piece

Art Historical Context

This exquisite silk textile fragment, titled simply *Piece*, hails from Japan during the 18th–19th, a time when the country’s Edo and early Meiji periods flourished with masterful craftsmanship. Measuring just 3¼ x 5½ inches, this small woven treasure likely served as part of a larger garment, such as a kimono or obi, or perhaps a decorative sample showcasing the weaver’s skill. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art 1896 by collectors Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, it reflects the growing Western fascination with Japanese art during the late 19th century. Woven silk was a pinnacle of Japan...