Splendours of New Spain: A Set of Embroidered Vestments Made in Mexico in 1730

The following set of fully embroidered, floriated vestments originally came from eighteenth century Mexico, approximately the year 1730, made by Mexican embroiderers.  People often make the assumption that the Church in the new world was inherently limited in its ability to produce fine liturgical art, but what this particular set demonstrates is the incredible skills of the liturgical artists that came to the New World -- skills which many of them would have learned from Old World masters in Spain and elsewhere. 

This particular set of vestments follow the opulence of the baroque tradition, characterized as it is by golds and a rich pastel colour palette that was popular during the eighteenth century. The cut of the various vestments in the set are distinctly Spanish, and the design, which includes cherubs (see the shield of the cope) and large floral embroideries, are indicative of the baroque tastes of Spain, Austria or Bavaria. 

The embossed embroidery techniques that were used in the creation of these vestments are of the sort that would have made this design come to life as the metallic threads caught and reflected the light.  One can well imagine the great beauty of these paraments when seen in proper liturgical use, reflecting as they would in the softly lit and candlelit churches of New Spain. 

A detail of the shield, showing the cherubs

This particular set is now found within the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

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