The past three weeks, we have been looking at the embroidered vestments of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Last week, we studied the three magnificent copes, and the week before, we looked at the two antependia. This week, we will examine my favourite piece: the chasuble. Taking pictures of Read more
Two weeks ago, I introduced you to the embroidered vestments of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Last week, we studied the iconography and the embroidery techniques on the two antependia. This week, we will have a look at the three copes that the priest, the deacon and the subdeacon Read more
Last week, I introduced you to the literature available on the vestments of the Order of the Golden Fleece. This week, we will have a look at what is believed to be the oldest part of the collection: the antependia. The Imperial Treasury in Vienna houses the part that covered Read more
In the coming weeks, we will explore the magnificent embroidered vestments of the Order of the Golden Fleece. These vestments are kept in Vienna, Austria, at the Weltliche Schatzkammer of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, also known as the Imperial Treasury. If there were such a thing as the UNESCO World Heritage Read more
After looking at a stumpwork chasuble from Merseburg and another stumpwork chasuble from Vienna, it is now time to explore a very special piece of stumpwork embroidery. The Dommuseum Wien has a magnificent cope hood from the Cathedral Treasury on permanent display. Thanks to the cathedral accounts, the piece can Read more
Last week, we looked at a beautiful stumpwork chasuble kept at Merseburg Cathedral. This week, we will continue our exploration of late medieval stumpwork embroidery with a stunning chasuble kept at the Dommuseum in Vienna, Austria. As I haven’t been able to find published material for this chasuble, I don’t Read more
This month, we will be exploring medieval stumpwork. But before we start: happy birthday to me! I just celebrated my 47th birthday in style at my local bakery with a piece of King Ludwig Cake (royal chocolate cake). We are in Bavaria after all :). And now, on to the Read more
Over the past couple of weeks, we have explored several pieces of medieval goldwork embroidery housed in the Cathedral Treasury of Anagni, Italy. Around AD 1300, Pope Boniface VIII gifted his hometown Cathedral spectacular Opus anglicanum, Opus cyprense and Opus romanum paraments. He also gave a beautifully embroidered antependium. Unfortunately, Read more
This week, we will look at an Opus romanum antependium from the late 13th century kept in the Cathedral treasury of Anagni, Italy. Just like with the Opus cyprense goldwork embroideries from last week, their provenance isn’t as clear-cut as the name Opus romanum suggests. This antependium was never historically Read more
Where does Opus cyprense medieval goldwork embroidery come from? Simple question, right? After all, Opus anglicanum comes from England, and Opus teutonicum comes from Germany. Thus, Opus cyprense should come from Cyprus! Maybe. Medieval and later church inventories do mention vestments as being Opus cyprense. However, there has been relatively Read more