Chasuble back

Object name

Chasuble back

Date made

Second half 17th century

Place made

Italy

Description

Back of a silk and gold metal thread chasuble made in Italy in the second half of the 17th century.

Content description

Back of a silk and gold metal thread chasuble made in Italy in the second half of the 17th century. The panel is embroidered on silk with silk threads to create a naturalistic and symmetrical silk shading design of roses, tulips, wheat ears, and other floral and fruit motifs. The silk motifs are worked in long and short and satin stitches. Goldwork adorns the chasuble in the form of two vertical bands that run down the chasuble's centre, as well as foliate and scrolling shapes. The goldwork is worked in passing, plate, and twist and involves basketweave (goldwork), bricking, plate application, couching in a circle (goldwork), and gold twist application.

The embroidery was very likely stitched by professionals and is typical of early modern Italian embroidery, with its naturalistic silk shading and baroque scrolls. The chasuble was conserved and netted by RSN apprentices.