Liturgical Stole And Matching Maniples In Floral Silk And Metallic Thread. XIX Century

Liturgical stole and matching maniples in floral silk and metallic thread

Date: 19th century

Woven and brocaded silk with gold metallic thread inserts. Braided trimmings and metallic fringes.

Dimensions: Stole: total length 219 cm.
Maniples: length 101 cm including fringes.

Liturgical ensemble consisting of a long stole and a pair of maniples made from the same decorative fabric. The design features polychrome floral motifs on an ivory background, with flowers in shades of pink, red, violet, and green emerging from ornamental vases enriched with metallic thread woven directly into the textile. The borders are finished with gold metallic braid and fringes.

The reverse is lined in a sturdy yellow fabric, not silk, providing structure and reinforcement. The silk on the decorative side shows visible signs of wear, with thinning areas, abrasions, and exposed threads—clear evidence of age and use.

Technique and materials:
Brocaded silk with metallic thread decoration. Braided gold trimmings and metallic fringes. Lining in strong yellow fabric.

Condition:
Widespread wear, with thinning and worn silk particularly along the edges and central areas. Traces of moisture, loose threads, and small losses. Some areas require reinforcement, but the overall structure is intact and the decorative scheme remains legible.

The quality of the fabric and the richness of the decorative design suggest a use in solemn liturgical celebrations. The piece fits squarely within the tradition of 19th-century Italian ecclesiastical textile production.