Piece
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Silk / Compound weave
Dimensions
6 5/8 × 3 5/8 in. (16.8 × 9.2 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Kihei Hattori, in memory of his father, Kihei Hattori, 1920
Accession Number
20.148.949
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silk textile fragment, woven in the 18th century Japan's Edo period (16151868), offers a glimpse into the refined artistry of the era. Measuring just 6⅝ × 3⅝ inches, this small "Piece" exemplifies the meticulous craftsmanship of Japanese weavers, who produced luxurious fabrics for kimonos, obi sashes, and ceremonial garments. The Edo period was a time of relative peace and economic prosperity, fostering vibrant textile production centers like Kyoto's Nishijin district, where silk weaving reached extraordinary heights of complexity and beauty. The medium—silk with compound weave...