Piece
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Silk / Compound weave
Dimensions
1 1/4 × 5 1/2 in. (3.2 × 14 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Kihei Hattori, in memory of his father, Kihei Hattori, 1920
Accession Number
20.148.953
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silk textile fragment, woven in a compound technique during Japan's Edo period (1615–1868), offers a glimpse into the refined artistry of 18th-century craftsmanship. Measuring just 1¼ × 5½ inches, this small "Piece" likely originated as part of a larger garment, such as a kimono or obi sash, where such intricate weaves adorned the elite. The Edo era, a time of relative peace and economic growth under the Tokugawa shogunate, saw textiles become symbols of status and cultural sophistication, blending functionality with opulent design. The compound weave method—where multiple warp...