The present shape of the vestment dates back to not before the sixteenth century, but the embroidered remains are much older. Ther are worked on a linen ground with coloured silk thread, with long-armed cross stitch, long and short stitch, and perhaps counted stem stitch. The front shows a representation of the Crucifixion, with eight Apostles in two rows of arcades embroidered underneath. The back shows the Enthroned Christ with the emblems of the four Evangelists, and underneath nine angels, corresponding to the angels on the back.
When the chasuble was reshaped, remaining parts may have been used for the cope, belonging to the same ensemble of garments.
Sources:
- POLAK, Melanie (1938). '"The Vienna "Gösser Ornat" and a stole and two maniples in London', The Burlington Magazine for Connoisseurs Vol. 73, No. 426 (Sep., 1938), pp. 115-117+120-121
- SCHUETTE, Marie and MULLER-CHRISTENSEN, Sigrid (1964). The Art of Embroidery, London: Thames and Hudson.
Digital source (retrieved 8 May 2016).
Digital source of illustration (retrieved 2 September 2016).
WV