Chasuble

Unknown

18th century · Silk and metal thread on silk · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

This is the tabard-like garment that a Catholic priest would wear during church services. From a distance- which is how most of the congregation would have viewed the priest- the textile reads as a luxurious and expensive figurative silk. However, viewed up close, it becomes apparent that this is a considerably cheaper alternative, with the figurative design of lush blooms, verdant foliage and swirling ribbons all simply embroidered onto a thin and unremarkable plain silk ground. Although metal-wrapped thread is used throughout, and would originally have provided some glitter and shine, its quality is again mediocre: thin, base metal wrapped around very thick cotton cores, which have become visible due to abrasion in certain areas of heavy wear, such as the shoulders.

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th century

Medium

Silk and metal thread on silk

Culture

Italian or French

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1935