Adam Blawat of Benedicamus in Poland has shared with us these images of works from their studio, fashioned in gold bullion metal thread. Indeed, this is a very rare sight today. I have seen some contemporary work like this in not too many other places. Examples are somet…
The Forgotten Art of Bullion Embroidery
Adam Blawat of Benedicamus in Poland has shared with us these images of works from their studio, fashioned in gold bullion metal thread. Indeed, this is a very rare sight today. I have seen some contemporary work like this in not too many other places. Examples are somet…
Some Unique Designs in the Frontispieces of the Missale Romanum
Look at your typical frontispiece of a traditional Missale Romanum (the Roman Missal) and most of us will be accustomed to seeing the textual elements of this title page accompanied by some sort of art. Frequently this is an illustration of the Last Supper or a Crucifixion,…
Another Case Study in Colour and Detail: St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines, Iowa
E cclesiastical Studio and Sons recently shared a project that they participated in at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines, Iowa. Built at the end of the nineteenth century, between 1890-91, the cathedral underwent some early renovations in the 1920's and 1940's but …
The Vesperale - Reviving a Forgotten Tradition
This is impressive - such precise measurement and skill. Saint Martha's Guild does amazing work. Here is a recent example from their studio in Chicago, a custom vesperale. I have always said every altar needs one of these (it serves a very real and practical purpose,…
A Brief Survey of Some Recent Vestment Work
While we have covered off some recent architectural projects of some of our contemporary liturgical arts, it has been awhile since we have surveyed some contemporary vestment works. With that in mind, let's survey some of the most recent work done by our collaborators …
Lost Romanitas: The Virgula Poenitentiaria -- Or Penitential Wand / Rod
Recently one of our readers contacted LAJ with a question. They had come across a reference to a "penitential wand" that was ceremonially used in Rome. Naturally mentions of a "wand" beget notions of the occult in our modern understanding and use of that…
New Reredos at St. Francis de Sales Oratory in Louisiana Made by Monks of Clear Creek Abbey
The wonderful community of St. Francis de Sales in Sulphur, Louisiana (Diocese of Lake Charles) has a beautiful new Spanish style baroque reredos that was just installed in their sanctuary. The reredos measures 24 feet tall, 18 feet wide, and 4 feet deep. It is a custom m…
New Mosaics and Mural work at St Michael’s Abbey, California
We've been following, with interest, the developments taking place at St. Michael's Abbey. Almost two years ago we detailed the architecture and today we turn our attention to the newly installed decoration scheme which is comprised of mosaics as well as murals.
Th…
