silk. German, beginning of 16th century. 7 feet 8 inches by 4 feet 1 inch.
Though of so late a period, this altar-frontal can teach those studious
of such appliances how readily and effectively such works may be wrought.
The whole is divided into eight squares; in the middle of each is put a
shield alternating with another in its blazon, the first being or, three
hearts gules, two and one, between three bendlets sable; the second,
argent, an eagle sable on an arched bough raguly azure in the dexter base.
The ramifications twining all over the ground are done in light brown
broad worsted threads stitched on with white thread; and the flowers,
all seeded and barbed, some white, some yellow, as if in accordance with
the tints of the two shields, are done in silk. At bottom this frontal
has been edged with a deep fringe, parti-coloured white and black.
8707.
Chasuble, blue cut velvet; pattern, one of the pomegranate forms, with orphreys. German, late 15th century. 9 feet 5 inches by 4 feet 9 inches.
To the liturgical student fond of vestments in their largest, most
majestic shapes, this chasuble will afford great satisfaction, as it is one of
the few known that have not been cut down. The front orphrey is
a piece of narrow poor web, once of gold, but not much worn; the
hind orphrey is a long cross, raguly or knotted, with our Lord nailed
to it; above is the Eternal Father wearing an imperial crown of gold
lined crimson, and in the act of blessing, between whom and our Saviour
is the Holy Ghost in shape of a silver dove with outspread wings. At
foot is the group of the Blessed Virgin Mary fainting, and hindered from
falling by St. John.
8708.
The Blue Linen Lining of a Dalmatic, with the parti-*coloured fringe bordering the front of the vestment, and some other fragments. 4 feet 1-1/2 inches by 5 feet 7 inches. The silk Sicilian, 14th century.
The silk is much like the specimen fully described under No. 8263.
