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Apparel from a Dalmatic

1500s
Silk, gold thread; embroidery: or nué (shaded gold)
Overall: 25.4 x 33 cm (10 x 13 in.); Mounted: 35.9 x 44.5 cm (14 1/8 x 17 1/2 in.)
Gift of J. H. Wade 1919.857
Location: not on view
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Description

The artist who drew this pattern created expressive facial features that a master embroiderer conveyed with silk stitches. That high level was probably achieved by an embroiderer specializing in faces, hair, and skin. The draped clothing was created by varying the density of silk thread crossing over the gold thread.

Embroidered scenes in rectangular panels, known as apparel, were made with luxurious thread to decorate tunic-shaped ecclesiastical garments, or dalmatics. An apparel was placed at the ends of sleeves, as seen in a nearby example, and on the front and back above the hem.
Apparel from a Dalmatic

Apparel from a Dalmatic

1500s

Italy, Florence, 16th century

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