Chasuble

Unknown

1541 · Silk, linen, metal thread · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The date 1541 nestles in the center of this strip of symmetrical arabesques, curlicues, dolphins, harpies, and winged putti heads. Something of the original sumptuousness remains of this petit point needlework, although time and wear-and-tear have damaged it considerably. The design was sewn in gold threads against what was originally a blue background whose silk stitching has entirely degraded, revealing the canvas support beneath. At a considerably later date, likely the nineteenth century, the two long strips of sixteenth-century needlework were applied as if orphreys to a thin, modern, blue velvet to evoke a liturgical garment– a priest's tabard-like chasuble– although it is highly unlikely that this was ever actually worn as one. More likely it is a dealer's composite, created to appeal to Gilded Age market tastes.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1541

Medium

Silk, linen, metal thread

Culture

French

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Bequest of Irwin Untermyer, 1973