Paraments of the Order of the Golden Fleece

Today I wanted to to show readers another set of vestments coming from the Imperial Treasury of Vienna, this time a set that was made for the Austrian branch of the Order of the Golden Fleece -- one of the most elite orders of chivalry in Europe, comprised almost exclusively of Catholic royalty and nobility.  These particular vestments are from the first half of the 15th century and are distinctive in their use of a honeycomb like design which separates the various embroidered figures.  If you take the time to look at the links associated with each image, you will gain extremely detailed views of these masterpieces -- view which I think is more than worth your while. Astute readers may well take note of the very 'northern' look and feel of the various figures depicted.

We begin with the chasuble which is in a "bell" shape. Readers may be surprised to hear that it was the last of the vestments made. Here is the back of the chasuble.

Chasuble. ca. 1430-40
For further images and information, see here.

If you would like to see the front of the chasuble, see here. The linked image will also give you a better view of the full shape of the chasuble -- and incredible details.

Next we have three copes; the cope of the Virgin Mary (comprised entirely of female saints), the cope of Christ and the cope of John the Baptist. If you are wondering why there are three copes it is because these were apparently intended for use within the context of sung Vespers

It is also interesting to note that when the three copes are lined up in this way, the three figures embroidered on the hoods, that of the Virgin, Christ and St. John the Baptist, form the traditional Byzantine image of the Deisis.

Virgin Mary Cope ca. 1425-40
For further images and information, see here.

Christ Cope, ca. 1425-40
For further images, see here. 

St. John the Baptist Cope, ca. 1425-40
For further images, see here.

Here is one detail of the hood of the cope of the Blessed Virgin.  

Next is one of the dalmatics from the set.  You will find here another point of interest; namely, that the embroidered orphreys are overlaid over the base textile and its embroideries -- evidenced in how some of the embroidery work is actually covered over by the orphrey itself.

Dalmatic

Finally, I wish to draw your attention to two antependia also made for the Order of the Golden Fleece. 

Antependia, ca. 1425-40
For more images, see here.

I do hope you'll consider spending some time with the links, zooming in on the particular details of these parakeets. It is an education in its own right.