Chasuble, XVème:
Broderie + appliqué: travail "provincial", Germanie

Date:
15th century
Geography:
Made in, Lower Saxony, Germany
Culture:
German
Medium:
Silk, parchment and linen on wool
A chasuble is worn by a priest during the celebration of the Mass. On the back, which would have been visible as he faced the altar, are the Crucifixion of Jesus, with the Virgin Mary, his mother, and Saint John the Evangelist. Jesus' outpouring of blood is dramatized by the use of embroidery. The spear and sponge by which he was tormented, and the scourges from his Flagellation on the front add to the theme of sacrifice. This simple and provincial vestment is unusual for its use of applied leather and of plain wool rather than cut velvet.