Piece
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Silk
Dimensions
5 1/4 x 3 in. (13.34 x 7.62 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
96.14.976
Art Historical Context
This delicate silk textile fragment, simply titled *Piece*, hails from Japan during the 18th–19th centuries, a time spanning the opulent Edo period and the transformative early Meiji era. Measuring just 5¼ x 3 inches, it exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of Japanese weaving traditions, where silk was prized for its luster and versatility in garments like kimonos and obi sashes. As a woven textile, it likely showcases intricate loom techniques honed by skilled artisans in regions renowned for silk production, such as Kyoto's Nishijin district. The medium of silk underscores its cultural ...