This spectacular altar frontal was made between 1609-10 specifically for the canonization of St. Charles Borromeo, one time Cardinal Archbishop of Milan. Gold and silver embroidery have been set onto a background of silk and originally -- prior to the Napoleonic era -- this antependium also incorporated precious stones within its design, now sadly lost to us. Still, even without these elements what remains is a altar frontal of a particularly precious nature.
Included within its design are foliage and other ornate, decorative forms of the sort that were popular within this period of time and whose beauty and appeal yet remains down to our very own day.
The central medallion includes an embroidered depiction of St. Charles himself, clothed in his pontifical vestments, the symbols of his rank seen behind in the form of a cardinal's galero and an episcopal mitre.
Also prominently depicted are elements taken from the eccleisastical heraldry for an archbishop, showing the galero, mitre, cross, crozier and pallium:
Finally elements from St. Charles's arms and motto are also incorporated: the Latin word "humilitas" in a stylized gothic script surmounted by a crown.
Photo credit: Nicola de Grandi
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