Piece
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Silk
Dimensions
7 3/4 x 6 1/2 in. (19.68 x 16.51 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
96.14.1507
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silk textile fragment, titled simply *Piece*, hails from Japan during the 18th–19th centuries, a time when the country’s Edo and early Meiji periods flourished with masterful craftsmanship. Woven with precision, it exemplifies the artistry of Japanese textile production, where silk—prized for its luster and durability—was transformed into luxurious fabrics for kimonos, furnishings, and ceremonial garments. At just 7¾ x 6½ inches, this small-scale work likely served as a sample or panel, showcasing the weaver’s skill in creating intricate patterns through complex loom techniques....