Cleveland Museum of Art

Chasuble

Date

1700s

Medium

Silk and metallic threads; embroidery

Culture

Italy, 18th century

Department

Textiles

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

A beautiful design emanates from a vase in the center of this chasuble, displaying symmetrical flora that extend across embroidered gold braids into graceful curvilinear cartouches, reflecting contemporary architectural decoration. Also in the center, sheaves of wheat and grapes represent the bread and wine of the Mass. Gold sequins within thread-outlined squares illustrate fine quality workmanship. The decoration of the stole and chalice veil is similar to the chasuble, also on moiré (watered) silk fabric. The stole, an insignia of the office of deacons and priests, is worn under a chasuble, and the chalice veil—bearing the monogram of Jesus Christ, ihs, in the center—covers the chalice and paten (the plate holding the Eucharistic bread).

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