Symbol and Allegory Unraveled: Ecclesiastical Garments and Liturgical Accessories From Mission Santa Clara
January 27-June 24, 2001
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| St. Joseph and Mary side alter figures: Spain,
circa 1700; porcelain, ceramic, and pigment with metallic brocade
and silk damask; 18 and 19 in. high; de Saisset Museum California
History Collection. Photos by Scott Hess. |
This exhibition presents a segment of the de Saisset Museum's unparalleled collection of historical liturgical vestments from Mission Santa Clara.
In 1777, many items were brought to Santa Clara from Mexico for the founding of the Mission. These items were listed in an Informée sent to the King of Spain in response to his request for an inventory of all the objects belonging to the church and sacristy.
The majority of the items listed were religious in nature, and some of these items were vestments such as chasubles, albs, palliums, frontals, altar cloths, and capes. The Informée listed three silk chasubles-red, white, and green-with silk flowers, decorated with silver and gold stripes-chasubles comprising part of the vestment collection in the care of the de Saisset Museum.
This exhibition, curated by textile conservator and historian Elise Yvonne Schlick of San Francisco in conjunction with the de Saisset staff, presents the history of the vestments. Their fabrication is explored, as well as the origins of the materials used, and other aspects of the centuries-old garments.
Understanding the complex history of the vestments may help us to understand the larger sociocultural picture of Mission Santa Clara in the days of its founding.
Catalog.
The de Saisset Museum, Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053
© 2005 de Saisset Museum, Santa Clara University - contact rnadel@scu.edu - phone: 408-554-4528