Gold embroidered or pomegranate casula

Created: German, 18th century

Material, technology: raised embroidery using metallic strands on silk damask

Size: casula: 106 x 67 cm

Description: The front and back are divided into three sections by strips of embroidered baroque shells resembling braided trim. The outer edges are laced with similarly patterned embroidery stitched on with cord spun from metallic strands. The lining is made of yellow silk taffeta. The medallions on gold embroidery running down the center of the back contain shell-like decorations. The pattern is asymmetrical with the pattern becoming more extended toward the bottom. On either side leafy vines wind into "S" shapes with groups of three pomegranates each hanging from a stem. On the front, in the centre column in large oval-shaped fields of gold embroidery are large, eight-petalled flowers. On each side, stylised flowers are arranged in groups of two and three. The decorations were embroidered directly onto the silk damask. A gilt silver strand woven with silk lies on a cotton underlay and is stitched along the inner and outer contour lines with silk thread. The varying degrees of shininess of the embroidery is produced by using metallic strands or cantille more tightly or loosely spun or cross-sectioned. Small 1.3-cm² sheets of silver gilt were sewn onto the centre of the braided-trim-like dividing line.