Located within Marienberg Abbey in South Tyrol, Italy, is an interesting and rare relic of a bygone age. It is the so-called "Uta chasuble" dated to the twelfth century -- specifically circa A.D. 1165-1170. It is named the "Uta" chasuble for the reason that, Uta von Tarasp, a noblewoman, is thought to have been its creator. Some background and a bit of descriptive information about this unique chasuble:
According to tradition, the Montemaria [Marienberg] chasuble, donated by the founders Uta and Ulrich Ill von Tarasp, was hand-woven by Uta herself. Its rich iconography refers to the relics present in the convent and is an expression of a liturgical concept that fully embraces the sacred vestments. Various images appear on it, ideally linked to the figures in the crypt. The basic motif features a fruit-bearing tree. On the back, the Agnus Dei surrounded by the symbols of the four evangelists is visible; on the front, Christ in a mandorla. The stole features embroidered figures of various saints, including the apostles, Saint John (with Ulrich), the Roman archmartyr Stephen, the founder of the order, Saint Benedict, Saint Nicholas, also venerated in the crypt, and Saints Sebastian (with Uta), Climaria and Panafreta, whose relics are preserved.The chasuble has a bell shape, possibly cut back from an earlier, even more ample form. As you'll note, it had a classic y-orphrey cross pattern, beneath which one can better observe the original, bright and colourful designs that once would have adorned this vestment.
What one might note here as well is just how 'busy' medieval vestment design could be, filled as this one is with various designs in bright and bold colours.
To really understand the level of detail in this work, one needs to take a closer look (and I would encourage you to also take particular note of the bright colours that can be found beneath those places where the orphreys were placed.
To really understand the level of detail in this work, one needs to take a closer look (and I would encourage you to also take particular note of the bright colours that can be found beneath those places where the orphreys were placed.
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| Christ enthroned. One can make out two angels as well, pulling back the 'veil' of the mandorla. |
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| The winged man/angel, a symbol of St. Matthew |
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| The Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) |
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| The winged ox (left), a symbol of St. Luke. The eagle, a symbol of St. John. This perhaps gives the best view of the original design and its colours. |
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| Some details of the fruits and vines. |
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| A detail of the stole, which is comprised of various saints in architectural niches. |
For interest sakes, here is a very rough approximation of what this chasuble may have looked like with more of its colours still in tact (though please note, this is by no means a scientific analysis; it is simply meant to give a quick flavour for this masterpiece of medieval vestment work):
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