Chasuble, stole and maniple

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This set of priest's vestments- tabard-like Chasuble, Stole, and towelesque Maniple- is a very rare and beautiful survival of Sicilian coral-work (also appreciable at The Met in the statue robe 43.164). Associated with mystical power to protect its bearer when travelling on water, coral's rosy hues also symbolized the spilled blood of Christ, whose sacrifice- Christians believe- saved Humanity. Coral encrusted episcopal chapels in Monreale and Palermo, ornamenting devotional objects from crosses to book covers. Here, coral beads are nestled within virtuoso embroidery in a rich range of silver threads- wrapped, coiled, drawn and beaten- their various refractions of light achieving distinctive shimmering, calling upon a full range of embroidery techniques. Together, the design conjures the Dove of God, Christ-like pelicans piercing their breasts to feed their young, a majestic crown, and passion flowers.

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