Piece
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Silk
Dimensions
8 1/2 x 2 in. (21.59 x 5.08 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
96.14.1939
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silk textile fragment, simply titled *Piece*, hails from Japan during the 18th–19th century, a time when the country’s weaving traditions reached extraordinary heights of sophistication. Measuring just 8½ x 2 inches, this delicate woven artifact exemplifies the precision of Japanese textile artisans, who mastered complex loom techniques to create intricate patterns from shimmering silk threads. Silk, prized for its luster and durability, was a cornerstone of Japanese culture, used in everything from elegant kimonos to ceremonial garments, reflecting social status and seasonal mo...