Antique 19th Century French Lyon Silk and Silk Velvet Ecclesiastic Chasuble

This is a breathtakingly beautiful religious chasuble which dates circa 1900. It originates from a fine French collection. As a red chasuble, it was used on Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday) and Good Friday, Pentecost Sunday, celebrations of the Lord’s passion, “birthday” feasts of the apostles and evangelists, and celebrations of martyrs.

Exquisite Lyon silk brocade in the luxurious shade of claret red (the photographic lights reflect the floral pattern of the silk rendering the color brighter than claret red in our photos) serves as the perfect background for the velvet panels. The velvet brocade starts with a wide silk background onto which the beautiful velvet is woven to create rich and textural designs. The back has a very large cross of silk velvet brocade. Large stylized crimson flowers cascade downward accented by rose colored petals and deep green leaves. Blue flowers with stylized green and rose leaves float across the arms of the cross. You can see the beautiful hand stitching on the backing side where the cross has been sewn onto the brocade. The front panel has one long panel with deep green leaves and blue and flowers. The front and back panels are bordered with wide gilt metallic braid (1"). There is a 1/2" wide gilt metallic braid border around all the outer red brocade panels. There is a 3/4" wide dentelle lace collar guard. The backing is of rose colored linen; you can see beautiful hand stitching around the edges.

It measures: 33" x 22" from front shoulder seam; the back panel 50" x 27 1/2". The cross inset and the inset panel on the front are 8 1/2" wide. It is in very good antique condition: there is wear to the front velvet panel and the gilt metallic braid at the center as is typical with this vestment and age (some horizontal splitting, wax drip stain bottom left). There is wear and fading to the linen backing (two horizontal slits at the top shoulder). The vestment is a claret red color: the photos reflect to a brighter red. Please study the photos carefully as they are a major part of the description. Note: It has been folded in storage, we did not attempt to steam or iron this vestment; some fold lines are still visible.

It is an extraordinary chasuble with the utmost in rich design and color.