Piece
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Silk
Dimensions
12 x 9 3/4 in. (30.48 x 24.77 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1896
Accession Number
96.14.348
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silk textile fragment, woven in Japan during the Edo period (1615–1868), offers a glimpse into the refined craftsmanship of 18th- to 19th-century Asian art. Measuring a modest 12 x 9¾ inches, this "Piece" exemplifies the era's mastery of woven silks, prized for their luxurious sheen, durability, and intricate patterns. Edo Japan, under the stable Tokugawa shogunate, saw textiles flourish as both everyday luxuries and status symbols, adorning kimonos, obi sashes, and furnishings for samurai, merchants, and commoners alike. Woven silk techniques during this time involved sophisti...