Early 18th Century French Liturgical Vestments

The Fine Arts Museums have acquired a set of French liturgical vestments, in a style dating to the first decade of the 18th century. The ensemble of nine pieces are made of red velvet, lavishly embroidered in gold and polychrome silk. These extraordinary vestments rank among the most brilliant achievements of French needlework from the period. Preserved by a family who claim descent from a lady-in-waiting to Marie-Antoinette, they are rare not only for their splendor and artistry, unparalleled in any other known examples, but as well for having survived the destruction and depredations of the French Revolution of 1789.

To learn more about the fascinating history of these vestments, click here to download an article written by Curator Diane Mott (PDF).

Dalmatic France, probably Paris, ca. 1700 - 1710 Silk, metallic thread; cut velvet, embroidery (laid work, couching, padded couching) Museum purchase, Dorothy Spreckels Munn Bequest Fund 2004.9.1.2