Chasuble, stole and maniple

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Although the shape of the garment in this vestment set implies that it was assembled at the turn of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the two types of silk from which it is made were both produced considerably earlier and have been repurposed here. The central strip on both front and reverse of the tabard-like chasuble is a fine example of so-called "bizarre silk", datable to around 1700-1720, decorated with delicate, silver-coated lancé strips. The boldly-patterned, deeper blue silk damask flanking this was perhaps reused wall hanging, woven around 1730-40. It has been carefully patched to create the current shapes, explaining why the pattern is not symmetrical as would be more conventional for this period had a bolt of brand-new damask been used. This is an interesting example, therefore, of treasured textiles repurposed.

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