Magdalena Stadelmaier
hand embroidered silk
Nijmegan, Holland
1954
When conducting religious services, members of the clergy wear garments, or vestments, appropriate to their position and function in the liturgy.
During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, vestments were often richly embroidered with Christian imagery in silk, gold and silver thread. Later, during the Baroque and Rococo periods, it was common to use patterned fabrics without Christian imagery. Many of these textiles were originally woven for secular use and were passed on to the church when they were no longer at the height of fashion.
Today clergy usually wear an alb, which is similar to a tunic; a chasuble, a kind of coat or robe; and a stole. The stole, a symbol of authority, was borrowed from Roman civil life.
detail of hand embroidery
Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine
8300 Vineland Avenue
Orlando, Florida 32821
E-mail us at museum@maryqueenoftheuniverse.org