Sixteenth century Italian embroidered silk and metallic thread "apparel" for a priest's tunic

[Italy], Sixteenth century.. Good with some modest surface abrasion and minor loss to a part of the applied stitched strapwork decoration; some light fading (?) of original color in the thread of the portrait.. Embroidered panel measuring appx. 454 x 570 mm.

Apparels such as this were produced throughout Italy. The work would have been undertaken by a number of people to do the background, portrait, and decorative elements. A variety of thread was used. The piece is quite heavy, indicating the use of metallic wire wrapped around silk thread. The border frame (outermost perimeter) is entirely metal wire thread. Color dyed silk thread is used in the portrait in order to effect "depth" and realism and to accomplish the figure's modelling. It is assumed that the subject is St. Anthony of Egypt given the cross that accompanies the figure. The strapwork (foliate) ornamentation is first seen in Islamic manuscripts and artwork; taken up in Italy where it was used in an array of decorative arts eventually to spread throughout Europe.