Many textile collections include ecclesiastical vestments made from eighteenth century dress fabrics. It was quite usual for the rich to give their out of date dresses to the church to be made into vestments. An intricately woven silk brocade has been used for this chausable which would have been made later. The hemp? backing is machined so presumably made up in late 19th century. This would look marvellous just hung on a wall.
the back and front made up from three panels of silk brocades, the front pieced with same fabric, large coral loose flowerheads on acid and mid green leaves alternating with similar flowers and foliage, the ground woven with a diaper design, purpose made matching coral, green silk fringing seperates the panels, lined with pale coral hemp? ,47 in; 1.2 m long.
Strangely the back has been made with three full length panels, whilst the front is pieced. I would just hang it from the back to appreciate the full beauty of the silk. The back has some damage to the lower hem area and front has damage to
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