1947.26: Chasuble with Embroidered Orphrey

Identification and Creation

Object Number

1947.26

People

Unidentified Artist

Title

Chasuble with Embroidered Orphrey

Classification

Textile Arts

Work Type

textile

Date

16th-17th century

Culture

Italian

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/229129

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Silk and metallic yarns (or nué) on cut velvet

Technique

Embroidery

Dimensions

124.46 x 64.77 cm (49 x 25 1/2 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of Dr. Frank Lee Drummond Rust (bequeathed by Mrs. Ethel H. Beebe)

Accession Year

1947

Object Number

1947.26

Division

European and American Art

Contact

am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Descriptions

Description

Crimson cut velvet (pieced) chasuble edged in polychrome looped fringe. The embroidered orphrey was taken from a cope. The front panels depict, top to bottom, a cherub flanked by urn-topped pedestals; male saint, possibly St. Paul, holding a closed book in his proper right hand and a sword in his left. He stands within an arch topped by arabesques (many losses) below, in a similar niche, is St. Margaret who holds a palm in her p.r. hand, and a closed book in her left. Her dragon is at her feet. This panel is in the best condition. The back orphrey is from the same cope and depicts, top to bottom: the Madonna and child blessing; a bishop saint holding a crozier, wearing a cope an alb with an interesting stole (X crossed over chest); a martyr deacon saint wearing a dalmatic and holdng a palm (his attribute is hard to read).

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