The White Set

It being Lent, these won't be out again for a good while, so time for another instalment in our series on the rectorial vestments:


To judge by the style of the stepped cross orphrey on the back, these are French, and perhaps between 80 and 100 years old: they were an eBay purchase. I've had to do a bit of repair work on the shoulders where the silk has frayed, though this isn't visible except close up. The front orphrey, however, was badly discoloured and damaged where the chasuble had been folded up for storage: it doesn't help that the interlining seems to be a calico-like fabric which is prone to stiffness and creasing. So I covered the orphrey with a piece of ivory brocade which I think happily adds some interest to it. On the second photograph you can see the difference between this added fabric and the elaborate jacquard weaving of the original.