Piece

Art Historical Context

This exquisite silk textile fragment, titled *Piece*, hails from Japan's Edo period (16151868), a time of remarkable stability and cultural flourishing under the Tokugawa shogunate. Woven in the 18th or 19th century, exemplifies the era's mastery of silk production, which became a cornerstone of Japanese economy and artistry. During the Edo period, urban centers like Kyoto and Nishijin were hubs for innovative weaving, producing luxurious fabrics for kimonos, furnishings, and ceremonial garments that reflected social status and aesthetic. As a woven textile just 10 x 9¼ inches, this small yet...