Category: 13th century


  • Medieval Goldwork Embroidery in Anagni, Italy

    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, there’s no record of where…

  • Opus Romanum: medieval goldwork embroidery from Rome?

    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 referred to as Opus romanum.…

  • Opus Cyprense: Medieval Goldwork Embroidery from Cyprus?

    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 little research conducted on the…

  • Opus anglicanum: the late 13th century Vatican Cope

    Several Italian museums hold Opus anglicanum embroidered vestments. On the one hand, this is a testament to Opus anglicanum being hugely popular with European clergy in the 13th and 14th centuries. However, it was also the result of the Italians remaining Catholic and England going through the destructions of the Reformation. Some of these splendidly…

  • Opus anglicanum: St Nicholas Dalmatic

    A couple of weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to finally visit the Cathedral Treasury of Anagni near Rome, Italy. The treasury houses several pieces of Opus anglicanum, not only the namesake cope. One of these pieces is the chasuble, which you can see below. However, this vestment started life as a dalmatic. It was…

  • The Bishop’s Stockings (buskins/caligae) part II

    Last week, we looked at three pairs of stockings from two kings and a bishop. The oldest pair dated to the 11th century, and the other two were from the late 12th century. This week, we will look at the grave finds of three bishops who lived in the 13th century. First up are the…