Three Marian Themed Vestments for the Feast of the Assumption

As today is the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I thought we'd take a quick look at a few Marian or specifically Assumption themed vestments spanning three different centuries. In seeing these examples, you will not only be treated to a 'Marian meditation' for today's feast, but also introduced to some of the different styles and approaches found within some different periods of church history. 

Our first example is an extremely beautiful cope dated to the second half of the fifteenth century in a gold and red silk velvet typical to the tastes of this particular period of history. The cope includes various saints throughout in its design, but its primary imagery is to be found on the hood/shield showing a stunning depiction of the Assumption.

Not to be missed on this shield's design are the twelve figures found along the bottom -- possibly the twelve apostles or perhaps the twelve patriarchs of the Old Testament. 

Next we have a gold chasuble coming a few centuries later, dated to 1700-1724, which is part of a solemn set that had belonged to one Cardinal Scotti. This particular chasuble includes various depictions taken from the life of Our Lord and Our Lady with its central orphrey depicting the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Our final example is from the second half of the nineteenth century, and while not specifically about the Assumption, it is Marian in all regards, from the floral symbols included on the body of the chasuble to the central embroidered depiction of the Annunciation found within the orphrey. 

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