Beschreibung:

Property from the Berkeley Collection at Spetchley ParkA silk embroidered, metal-thread and coral altar panel (Antependium), Italian, probably Naples, 17th century
worked in polychrome silks, gilt-metal-threads and coral beads, with three large vases with scrolling handles, and bunches of flowers, on a cream silk damask ground with scrolls and pomegranate motifs, each vase separated by later vertical strips of applied lace; together with a matching burse with cross and glory and flowers in each corner (52cm by 52cm)(Qty 2)Altar Frontal mounted on a stretcher: 58cm. high, 202cm. wide; 1ft. ¹⁰⁄₈in. high, 6ft. ⁷⁄₅in. wideCondition reportMounted onto a stretcher, covered on the reverse with linen backing. The silk panel is distressed condition with areas missing in places, as visible across the top and bottom, and in other areas around the vases. The laer strips of black have been placed over the cream silk damask underneath. The gilt metal thread is still sparkling where used for the stems, but where used for bracts of flowers it is darker in colour. Perhaps this was intentional and it was stained, or it is silver gilt. Some of gold highlights are loose as visible around some of the flowers. Some of coral beads are missing, for example around the handles. The matching burse only has the decorated panel on one side, and the edges of this panel are distressed. The back of the burse no longer has decoration. The front panel has some stain and abrasions to the silk, some of coral beads are missing. Metal thread in good condition. Despite condition these are interesting pieces.
Please note that Condition 12 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.Catalogue noteThis altar frontal, without obvious liturgical symbolism, is distinctive in its use of coral as highlights. Coral along with pearls, beads and precious stones had a renewed appeal in the 17th century, having originally been so prominent in the Medieval vestments. The coral would have been popular on vestments in Naples and Sicily where the coral was available. There is a floral Cope with coral highlights on the hood in this sale. 
For comparable vestments in museum collections, see the Art Institute of Chicago, for a Cope, circa 1601/1675 (Ref. No. 1965.772), and a Chasuble, early to mid 17th century (Ref.No. 1965.773), and a very similar earlier altar panel, 1600s, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (T.254-1920), which has four vases of the same flowers, each compartment separated by a column, highlighted with coral (replaced by the lace on the present panel), and the central compartment depicts a colonnade with a figure of the Assumption of the Virgin. The cream silk background is distressed.