period piece

American  

noun

1. something, as a novel, painting, or building, of interest or value primarily because it evokes or epitomizes a particular period of history.

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period piece British  

noun

1. an object, a piece of music, a play, etc, valued for its quality of evoking a particular historical period: often one regarded as of little except historical interest

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Etymology

Origin of period piece

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Yes, it’s a period piece, but a period that is still for many Broadway theatergoers a living memory.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

And now, just shy of his 40th birthday, Coogler is an Oscar winner, for best original screenplay for horror period piece "Sinners," an unlikely mash-up of racial segregation, Southern blues and vampire-fueled gore.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

One thing to know: Timothée Chalamet stars as ping pong hustler Marty Mauser in this 1950s period piece from director Josh Safdie.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

“Sinners” is a supernatural horror movie, an action movie, a period piece and a partial musical.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026

It is a distinctly 1960s take on the Gospel of St. Matthew, a sort of period piece within a period piece that was initially criticized for its flower-child vibe and hippie-dippie costuming.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove