Chasuble

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Christian monograms IHS (Jesus Hominum Salvator- Jesus, Savior of Mankind) and MAR (possibly signifying Maria- the Virgin Mary) decorate cartouches on this Chasuble- tabard-like clothing intended to be worn by a Roman Catholic priest when officiating church services. Though from a distance the design is elegant, closer inspection reveals the central band to be ornamented with simple yellow satin silk appliqués, sewn onto the velvet ground. The shadows on the illusionistic strapwork are even executed in paint. The green velvet ground- though old- has been patched and repurposed at an unknown date from a different garment.

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The fifty thousand objects in the Museum's comprehensive and historically important collection of European sculpture and decorative arts reflect the development of a number of art forms in Western European countries from the early fifteenth through the early twentieth century. The holdings include sculpture in many sizes and media, woodwork and furniture, ceramics and glass, metalwork and jewelry, horological and mathematical instruments, and tapestries and textiles. Ceramics made in Asia for export to European markets and sculpture and decorative arts produced in Latin America during this period are also included among these works.

Metropolitan Museum of Art