The Fifteenth Century Antependium of Gandino's Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta

In a previous article from a couple of years back, we shared with our readers the fifteenth century cope of San Paziano and in the course of that article we also shared also the corresponding chasuble and dalmatic from the set (while also making a very brief reference to the antependium). Fortunately, in the intervening time since we published our initial article, we've since come across a proper image of the altar frontal that accompanies the set. Given the particular beauty and nobility of this antependium, I couldn't resist doing this brief follow up piece so that I could share with you, our readers.

By way of reminder, the set is housed in the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, an early fifteenth century basilica located within Gandino in the north of Italy, and is made from a beautiful, period Renaissance a griccia velvet. This set of vestments was traditionally used on August 13th for the feast of S. Ponziano, a second century pope and Roman martyr, who is also the patron saint of Gandino and presumably also on the Feast of the Assumption -- given the strong Marian tones we see in the various parts and pieces. 

This particular set, inclusive of the antependium, is dated to approximately 1490-1510 and, like the cope, it contains a beautifully embroidered image of the Virgin Mary assumed into heavenly glory, here accompanied by numerous angels. 

I would invite you to pay particular attention to the exquisite decorative details that can be found on the mantle of the Virgin, as well as the stylized clouds surrounding the her, and also of note are the delicately coloured wings of the angels. 

These embroideries are, of course, second to none and are probably some of the finest examples of higher end embroideries coming out of the period -- in this case, manufactured in (where else?) the workshops of Venice. 

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