Chasuble

Unknown

17th century · Metal thread on silk · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Against a deep purple ground- shot with gold (achieved using a partially visible, lancé supplementary gilded weft)- exquisitely delicate figurative motifs of scrolling foliage and passion flower blooms are embroidered. The incredibly skillful embroiderers have manipulated golden precious metal threads of every thickness and profile- wrapped, drawn, coiled, lamella- to achieve subtle variations and shading. The fortunate ecclesiastic for whom this tabard-like chasuble was made is not known: the space for his coat of arms on the reverse of the garment has been left tantalizingly blank. Vestments of comparable richness, technique, and design remain in the Italian musei diocesani of Osimo and Bergamo.

Artist

Unknown

Date

17th century

Medium

Metal thread on silk

Culture

Italian

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Dodge Fund, 1939