An embroidered silk and metal-thread floral chasuble, Italy, Naples, and complementary accessories, late 17th/early 18th century

No reserve

No ReservesUK: Greenford Park Warehouse

Lot Closed

January 18, 06:04 PM GMT

Estimate

800 - 1,200 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Property from the Berkeley Collection at Spetchley Park

An embroidered silk and metal-thread floral chasuble, Italy, Naples, and complementary accessories, late 17th/early 18th century

worked with exuberant floral and foliate design, in laid and couched work, with polychrome floss silks and gilt-metal threads, the back panel incorporating an applied padded coat of arms, of a bírd in a palm tree against an azure blue ground, all the decoration against an ivory silk ground, together with a later similarly worked and designed, stole and maniple

(Qty 3)

Chasuble approximately 110cm. high, 59cm. wide; 3ft. ⁷⁄₃in. high, 1ft. ¹¹⁄₂in. wide

As the fully embroidered surface is polychrome, it could be used for any purpose and not be limited to particular events within the liturgical colour codes. This embroidery technique of laying down the loose and flattened silk threads and securing them with threads across them, with maximum use of the silk to be seen in the light, was used particularly in Naples at this time. The unidentified coat of arms represents the patronage of a family, and commission of this chasuble. The textile is clearly designed for use as a chasuble and fits within the cut of the garment. For a comparable chasuble, Italy, 1650-1699, (approximately 114cm high), of equally striking design and appearance, and incorporating a coat of arms with inscription, see the Victoria and Albert Museum Collection (T.295-1972), along with an altar frontal (Inv. No. 155-1895), and a Cope, circa 1675-1700, incorporating a coat of arms of a cardinal in each corner, in the Art Institute of Chicago (Inv. 1970.1081).