Piece

Art Historical Context

This exquisite silk textile fragment, titled simply *Piece*, hails from Japan during the 18th19th centuries, a time when Edo-period craftsmanship flourished alongside the dawn of the Meiji era modernization. Measuring just 3 3/4 x 2 1/4 inches, this woven treasure likely originated as part of a larger garment,, or ceremonial object, showcasing the meticulous artistry of anonymous Japanese weavers. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 6 by collectors Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, it reflects the growing Western fascination with Asian art at the fin de siècle. Dragons, the artwork's def...