The Poor Clares of Mazamet, France, are perhaps best known for a chasuble they embroidered for Pope Pius XI (one which is frequently mistook for a gothic chasuble because of the orphrey design upon it). However these good sisters produced much more than this chasuble alone. Their work is frequently (but not exclusively) characterized by a style we call "Other Modern" -- works that are one and the same time characterized by both modern and traditional design elements.
As part of their preparations for their 1938 jubilee, a pontifical set it was designed which included all the usual parts and pieces. The primary iconographic theme for the set was situated around the Infant of Prague.
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| Photo: M. Kérignard © Inventaire général Région Occitanie |
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The theme of the Infant of Prague is continued on the shield/hood of the cope, which also includes other elements of the natural world including peacocks.
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| Photo: M. Kérignard © Inventaire général Région Occitanie |
The Infant is also featured on the mitre and the sisters even made pontifical sandals.
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| Photo: Photo: M. Kérignard © Inventaire général Région Occitanie |
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| Photo: Photo: M. Kérignard © Inventaire général Région Occitanie |
In addition to the Infant of Prague set, the sisters also produced two chasubles which honoured their spiritual mother, St. Clare, and their spiritual father, St. Francis of Assisi.
On the orphrey of the St. Clare chasuble, St. Clare is seen emerging from the roots of an olive tree on which is set the stemma of the order.
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| Photo: M. Kérignard © Inventaire général Région Occitanie |
A detail of the orphrey of the St. Francis chasuble gives a closer look at the character and style of the embroidery:
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| Photo: Photo: M. Kérignard © Inventaire général Région Occitanie |
In another article, we will consider some other work of these talented Poor Clares.
