Examples of Rare Cloth of Silver Vestments

Recently we shared an article on the topic of "cloth of gold" which is, of course, threading that has been wrapped in a very thin, gold metal. However, the lesser known and seen cousin of cloth of gold is cloth of silver. Cloth of silver is exactly like its cloth of gold cousin, only that it utilizes silver in place of gold, and like cloth of gold, cloth of silver is another possible substitute for white as a liturgical colour. 

Because these are far less known and seen, I wished to share a few historical examples of vestments which utilize silver, beginning with the example above which is taken from the treasury of the Cathedral of Mexico City. This particular set was manufactured in Seville, Spain in the eighteenth century and includes gold-embroidered Marian symbols: the Tower of Ivory and House of Gold.

This combination of silver with gold is particularly effective, as can be the addition of other colours as well, as is seen here is this beautiful silver and gold chasuble which has been further accented with blue, red and other coloured floral elements: Regrettably I have little information about this particular chasuble, but from the design I would place it in the eighteenth century as well.

The French, specifically the Lyonese (which was one of the key European centres for textile arts) also produced such works in silver:

Lyon, 1700-1724

Of course, it goes without saying that the Venetian ateliers were also workers of this fine material, seen particularly well here in this cope of silver lamé:

Here too is an example coming from Sicily, also coming in a polychrome design. This particular set is dated to the second half of the seventeenth century:

Sicily, 1650-1699

That this utilized silver may be difficult to tell, but a closer look at the maniple of the set will better show you the silver embroidery work that covers the entire set. This close up will also give you a sense of the vibrancy of the other colours. 

Finally, two more examples to complete our considerations today, beginning with this beautiful silk lampas. While I have little information on it, the style of the design is indicative of eighteenth century tastes.

Our final example comes from nineteenth century France. It includes a simple silver silk that has been ornamented by gold galloons and a Parisian cross.

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