Wawel Cathedral Museum in Krakow, Poland, is home to some very interesting treasures of liturgical art and while I do not have any specific historical information on the following pieces, they are well worth showing regardless. (Many thanks to Nicola de Grandi who took these photographs.)
This first piece is a rather unique chasuble for reason of its shape -- which is no doubt the result of it having at one time been much more ample, then being trimmed back in later centuries. The fabric is particularly remarkable as is the orphrey. Attentive readers might also note the fringe that goes around all the outer edges of the chasuble -- a feature once more common prior to 18th century.
Next we have a beautiful mitre and cope. The cope with its honeycomb-like repeat is particularly eye-catching. The result is something at once ornamental yet restrained.
To date -- and I am not certain why -- we haven't had an opportunity to share a great deal of metalwork, so here is a very nice chalice. You will also get a rather nice view of the embroidery on a chasuble behind.
Next is a red Pontifical Mass set, complete with a matching antependium. I would highlight the chasuble here as well for you might notice how wide it is -- a characteristic Polish feature (and here I would also point you back to the first chasuble at the beginning of this piece.)
These next items, a basin and ewer, are used within the context of the Pontifical Mass for the purification of the prelate's fingers.
The museum also houses a rare blue velvet chasuble:
And yet another chasuble with yet another exquisite velvet fabric, this time in red.
Finally, one more bit of metalwork, this time coming in the form of a splendid late medieval or early Renaissance processional cross. The shape here -- the so-called budded cross -- is one that is always particularly appealing.
